This is posted on the BCHL network website:
December 1st Roster Deadline Explained
Written by Brian Wiebe on December 1, 2019
December 1st marks one of the first two main roster deadlines facing BCHL teams during the 2019-20 season. The second is January 10th.
The deadlines are imposed by Hockey Canada, and on December 1st, all junior A teams across the country see the number of cards available to them to sign players reduced to 25.
Because of teams looking at which combination of rostered players and unused cards they want to have, the December 1st deadline has traditionally been busy with trades leading up to and including the day of.
Although not a trade deadline, December 1st is a very important roster deadline for all junior hockey teams across Canada. In terms of the BCHL, teams start with 35 cards on June 1st. Then on Dec. 1st as mentioned, it is cut down to 25 cards or less, which includes carded players plus available unused cards.
The BCHL roster limit is 23, so any teams with that many players signed has two cards available leading up to the January 10th deadline. The norm is for teams to end up with a 23 player roster and two cards, but occasionally teams will go with less than 23 players and then have more cards available for use..
For example, if a team has 28 cards remaining of the 35 they started with on June 1st, (including the 23 players on their roster) and it reduces to 25 tonight, it makes sense to make trades before December 1st. It simply gives more flexibility if the team wants to make changes to the composition of its roster. The idea being that the team uses cards 24 through 28 instead of losing them.
So far in the week leading up to the deadline, there have been a total of ten trades overall, including three posted on the league website on Nov. 30. The ten deals made between Nov. 24 – 30 involved 14 teams, 16 players, three leagues and seven instances of future considerations.
Last season, there were just five trades in the week leading up to the deadline, including one on December 1st. In 2017, 12 trades were made, including seven on the Dec. 1 deadline.
There are a couple of wrinkles that BCHL teams have to navigate around as it relates to the deadline.
Players on injured reserve do count towards the active roster cutdown numbers. As of now, there are 12 players on injured reserve according to BCHL.ca, which means those teams need to keep a roster spot open for when those players are healthy enough to return. Of the dozen on IR, Langley Rivermen forward Tanner Versluis and Cowichan Valley forward Andy Bridgewater are eligible to return on Dec. 1, meaning unless their stints on IR are extended, they will return to the active roster of their respective teams.
The other roster regulation teams have to consider is the status of their U17 players (those born in 2002 or 2003). Each team is required to have two U17 players on their roster, and those who don’t will have an active card removed. So if a team only has one U17 player, they are maxed at 22 cards and if they have no U17 players, they are maxed at 21. Penticton is the lone team without the minimum of two U17 players.
The period between the last week of November through to January 10th is usually busy with trades and I’d expect this year to be no different, especially if the first week leading up to December 1st is any indication.
I'm a little disappointed in the Vipers for not making a trade at or before the BCHL December 1st card deadline. I thought they could have got somebody in return for Brendan Kim, not just future considerations. I know the Vipers were looking and have been looking, I know it isn't easy.
ReplyDeleteThe Vipers have the lowest scoring team in the league and have had troubles scoring all season. Vernon heavily relies on there top line and goaltending. Without Matt Kowalski and Reilly Herbst where would this team be?
I know it's difficult trying to acquire a goal scorer not only at this time of the season but at almost anytime of the season. I have been following the other teams and watching there roster moves and almost every other team in the league has been active or very active within the past two weeks. You may not be able to acquire or land a goal scorer at this time of the season or if you do stumble across one I'm sure the price is too high. I get that. The 3rd and 4th lines come to play, battle, compete and work hard but there not producing points wise. Why not try and shake up the team/or the bottom six with a trade or two and try and bring in some fresh blood? I understand Jason McKee really likes his team and thinks they have a tight knit group, but a trade or two from the bottom six, I don't think would hurt. I understand sometimes making changes or too many trades can ruin the team chemistry, but the bottom six aren't getting the job done.
I thought the Vipers needed a trade or two about halfway through there eleven game road trip. After winning seven games in a row and playing there best hockey of the season, I thought the team hasn't played or looked the same since back to back losses in Trail on that lengthy road trip. Vernon was three points back of the Smoke Eaters at the time and within reach of the division lead. Since then the team has sputtered/struggled at times and slid down the standings. That's just my opinion.
You also have to look at the Vipers recruiting, and not only this year but in years past. Since the Vipers last won the Royal Bank Cup, Vernon has seen very little to no elite prospects/players scouted/recruited to play in Vernon. It seems like every since Larry Black left the Snakes for Salmon Arm, the Vipers recruiting hasn't been the same. Thomas Aldworth is about the only Viper pure goal scorer that comes to mind that the Vipers have had since last winning the National Championship. And he only arrived in Vernon by mistake. He was suppose to go to Langley, but somehow got lost driving here and ended up in Vernon. That was the big story in the local paper during training camp that season. Sure the Vipers have had some very good players since last winning the RBC Cup, but no real elite players like the rest of the teams across the league are recruiting. It seems like no team can keep up with or compete against Fred Harbinson and the Penticton Vees, but I have seen several elite players on average teams from the Coast & Island over the years. Why isn't Vernon getting these elite players?
I can just hear fans/teams from across the league, telling me where to go due to the fact Vernon has been very fortunate and lucky winning six National Championships and had several good teams over many years. I know and I get that. I totally get that Viper fans are spoiled and have been spoiled for many many years.
Maybe the Vipers have some magic still left in there hat and will pull off a big deal before the trade deadline. Guess will have to wait and see what happens from now until January 10th.
Go Vipers Go!
You want better players,goal scorers. Well come up with the cash money,dig deep because that is what it is going to take. I am not sure of how much cash but four new proven goal scorers at $5000.00 a piece doesn't sound like that much. Hell, Tom sell one or two cars luxury cars from your dealership and put the money into your new business the vernon vipers and who knows this might work. If this is possible then you know the old saying. Money talks. Good Luck. GO,VIPERS,GO.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Old saying.."Money cant skate",doubt if proven goal scorers are available for $5000.00,more likely a player(or 2) PLUS the $5k,looking at the Vipers stat sheet...Slim Pickens !!
ReplyDelete"Money can't skate"? Where did you hear that saying? I've never heard that before. It doesn't even make sense.
ReplyDeleteOK DUDE, Your the owner want a winner lets drop twenty thousand a player if you want a winner. I mean you own multiple car dealerships . Hey 80 thousand , drop in the bucket. its a write off . What the hell. Do what you got to do dude. Your either in the game or out.
ReplyDeleteIm not sure any amount of $$$$ is going to buy you a Championship or even a Win..just ask the Vees. What we need is a GM who can evaluate talent that is going to be in this organization for 2 or maybe 3 years at a time and then pick up the additional 19 or 20 year old to compliment the team from year to year.
ReplyDelete