Trades in Junior Hockey

A common request we get at TrailBlazer Hockey is to assist a player and their family respective to a trade. Trades are common in Junior Hockey and typically come in one of two forms:

• The Team arbitrarily decides they wish to trade the player in return for another player, cash (often called a Player Development Fee (PDF)) or a combination of the two
• The player and family request their team trade them. Often this request is made based on the player not liking his current situation or team or coach

Let’s take a look at each option a little closer:

Team Arbitrarily Decides to Trade a Player

As stated, it is common to see trades in Junior Hockey. Teams and Coaches make the decision to trade players based on a plethora of reasons. Some of those reasons may include (but are not limited too):

• Player not living up to Coach or Team’s expectations
• A team entering a rebuild phase and as a result looks to sell off older players in return for younger players for the future
• An attempt to change team chemistry if a team as a whole is not living up to expectations
• Team has too many players at one position and desire to trade one of those players for a player of a different position that they have a deficiency in
• A conflict that may have arisen between teammates, coaches, management, etc.

Player Requests a Trade

• Player is not happy with his role on his current team
• Player just desires a change of scenery because they have either gone stale with current team or maybe have been in a long-term slump and hope a trade will reinvigorate them
• Player not getting what he was promised by the Team as far role, personal development, sometimes facilities, occasionally billet family issues, etc.
• Personal issues such as family moves, divorces, family illnesses, player illnesses or health issues
• Location, wants to play closer to home & family
• Breakdown in the relationship between player and coaches or management or team mates

It is IMPORTANT to know that Trades and Trade Requests come with many pros and cons, as well as possible risk and rewards. It is recommend that families and players consult with and work closely with their Family Advisor in these type situations to help ensure a positive outcome. Just some of the thing’s players / families need to think of and that a Family Advisor can assist with are:

• KEY that any trade request is handled properly, especially if PLAYER REQUESTED
• The PERSONALITY & CHARACTER of the General Manager (GM) & Coaches plays a considerable role and need to be considered if making an unsolicited trade request
• The CURRENT STATUS of a Players’ relationship w/ the teams GM & Coaches needs to be considered when deciding how to best handle a trade request
• For trades to work best, both teams involved to BENEFIT in order to have the best short- and long-term results
• BEST when a player knows if another team LIKES or might WANT you. Other teams are not allowed to communicate directly with player on other teams, but can communicate openly with a player’s Advisor
• Advisors will know rules & regulations & players rights around trades specific to the league(s) involved. Just some examples are; many leagues don’t allow high school aged players to be traded UNLESS the player / family approves it, players typically have the right in most leagues to REFUSE a trade, a player’s family can assist in payment of cash trades which are most commonly referred to as “Player Development Fees” (PDF), etc.

In summary, trades in Junior Hockey are a reality and players and their families will be best served if they educate themselves on this topic or utilize the services of a trusted Hockey Advisor professional to assist with the process, elevate the stress and many unknowns that is part of trades while helping ensure more positive outcomes. Should you require assistance or wish to speak to a TrailBlazer Hockey Advisor please visit our “CONTACT US” section or email us directly at [email protected].