April 27, 2023
TO ALL INTERESTED:
Recently, it was brought to my attention that another youth hockey club’s leadership had mischaracterized our local policy and activity surrounding the annual Eval/Tryout process. USAH affiliate leaders assumed that we were potentially tampering after they had a conversation with the leadership of the accusing club.
I usually ignore this type of thing beyond clarifying with my coaches that no such activity occurred. Because initially, this false accusation had received a plausible response from the Affiliate, (I feel) it is necessary to set the record straight and, at the same time, point out the stock difference with our process and policies in the Evaluation/Tryout process of other clubs.
I am celebrating my 38th year involved with Youth hockey in the Lancaster area. Every year at this time, there is significant anxiety experienced by clubs, parents, and players as they finish one season and look forward to the next — it is understandable, and the decision as to where a family decides to play the following season encompasses many factors. Having gone through this period many times and understanding the anxiety associated with this process, we adopted an “Open Door” policy many years ago, in which the door swings both ways. We always issue releases when requested, our tryout fee is less than $20 per ice session, and contracts are signed when the family is ready to commit. Full payment for those that decide to leave our program is prorated to that date, paying what they owe until that point. Our fees to play are consistently the lowest in the area, and we provide much more ice time for our players.
The intent of USA Hockey and its regional Affiliate, for which I served as vice president for over twenty years, is to give a family the time to make an informed choice after reviewing multiple clubs in their area that they want to be evaluated (or tryout) for.
No club can meet every family’s needs. USAH and its Affiliates set specific times when this process can begin.
Some clubs have decided to create a scenario, which strongly encourages families to commit to their program early, some before they even step on the ice to be evaluated, by requiring higher than reasonable tryout/ registration fees and significant pressure for the parents to sign a commitment contract, to secure a spot on a particular team.
However, the club maintains the right to change coaches and schedules, the level players will compete, and many other changes – and they are not held accountable for any promises regarding the individual playing status of that team.
In addition, although payment plans are available to pay the player’s tuition for the season, full payment is required by the contract if a family decides the program no longer fits its goals for their child. They remain subject to the decisions of that club’s leadership regarding a release as well. Meaning the family must pay for the whole season no matter when they leave, and the club can restrict the player from choosing another club – locally, within the region, or at all.
As mentioned above, it seems logical and gives clubs the plausible excuse for not issuing releases and making it financially impossible for most families to leave because another club has tampered with its players threatening the future existence of their team, regardless of the truth.
These clubs know the Affiliate does not have the time or personnel to investigate the truth of these accusations, so the practice is allowed to continue. Remember, it is April, and we are discussing next Fall’s season. We have been made aware of one family’s decision to leave a club and they were so resolute in their decision they paid off the entire year’s tuition and were promised a release but restricted from joining the club of their choice.
There are many potential solutions, but the first should be for USAH, and its Affiliates to establish a “NO CONTRACT “period during the stated evaluation period for every age group until after the player and family have had time to review their options, with as many clubs as they choose to during this time. It will not eliminate those who will try to beat the system no matter the rules, but it will give parents a better level of choice that is currently unavailable.
Rules clarifying when a release can or has to be issued are needed. Clubs holding parents [and, more importantly, kids] hostage (financially) must be exposed.
Parents, ask what the tryout process is before arrival. Ask what the release process is if you decide to leave. Refuse to sign contract commitments during the tryout process. Ask about the financial responsibility for the season, including uniforms, tournaments, and practice-to-game ratios. Ask what protection you have if a club changes significantly to what they initially presented at tryouts that affects your player (significantly negatively). If someone is having you sign a contract under duress, ask yourself if this is the organization you want to be associated with. You are trying to do what is best for your child, don’t let a club take advantage of you because of that.
Ray Ferry
The Central Penn Panthers
Owner