Rules For Signing Undrafted Free Agents

[Slats432]

As far as I know, the only rule for signing CHL or NCAA players as Free Agents is that they had to be available and passed up in the Entry Draft once.

Josh Gorges is an example this year. Signed by the Sharks as a 18 year old after being passed up in the draft.

I don't know the restrictions on Euros (Of course there may be an age consideration but for the most part they have to be drafted.)

I have a couple questions.

1. Are there any other guidelines in regards to signing Undrafted North Americans?

2. Because Josh Gorges was signed as a Free Agent and not drafted would he qualify to play in the AHL?

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[The Pucks]

As far as I know, the only rule for signing CHL or NCAA players as Free Agents is that they had to be available and passed up in the Entry Draft once.

Josh Gorges is an example this year. Signed by the Sharks as a 18 year old after being passed up in the draft.

I don't know the restrictions on Euros (Of course there may be an age consideration but for the most part they have to be drafted.)

I have a couple questions.

1. Are there any other guidelines in regards to signing Undrafted North Americans?

2. Because Josh Gorges was signed as a Free Agent and not drafted would he qualify to play in the AHL?

Euro's must be selected in the draft before they can be signed. That is why we see so many older Euro's drafted.

 

[Slats432]

Euro's must be selected in the draft before they can be signed. That is why we see so many older Euro's drafted.

I knew they did, but didn't know if there was a top end age limit like 27 or 30 etc.

 

[Buffaloed]

1. Are there any other guidelines in regards to signing Undrafted North Americans?

2. Because Josh Gorges was signed as a Free Agent and not drafted would he qualify to play in the AHL?

(d) Draft Related Unrestricted Free Agents.

(i) Any Player not eligible for claim in
any future Entry Draft pursuant to this Agreement and not on a
Club's Reserve List shall be an unrestricted free agent.
Further, any player eligible for claim in the Entry Draft but who
was unclaimed shall be an unrestricted free agent subject to the
provisions of Section 8.9(b). (see below)

(ii) Each player referred to in subsection
(d)(i) above shall, during the period of his free agency in
accordance with Section 8.9(b), if applicable, be completely
free to negotiate and sign a Player Contract with any Club and
any Club shall be completely free to negotiate and sign a Player
Contract with such player without penalty or restriction subject
to the provisions of Article 9, if applicable, and without being
subject to any Right of First Refusal, Draft Choice Compensation
or any other compensation or equalization obligation of any kind.
http://letsgopens.com/nhl_cba.php?id=10

8.4. Eligibility for Claim.

(a) All players age 19 or older are eligible for claim in
the Entry Draft, except:
(i)a player on the Reserve List of a Club, other than
as a Try-Out;
(ii) a player who has been claimed in two prior Entry
Drafts;
(iii) a player who previously played in the League
and became a free agent pursuant to this Agreement;
(iv)a player age 21 or older who played hockey for at
least one season in North America when he was age 18, 19 or 20.
(b) In addition to the players referred to in sub-paragraph
(a), any player who (i) will be age 18 on or before September
15 in the year in which such Entry Draft is held, or (ii) reaches
his 19th birthday between September 16 and December 31, both
dates included, next following the Entry Draft and who in either
case wishes to become eligible for selection in the Entry Draft,
can attain eligibility by delivering to the League a written
notice in the form of Exhibit 3 hereto prior to the later of (A)
May 1, or (B) seven days following the date such player finishes
competing on his team in the year in which such draft is to be
held. http://letsgopens.com/nhl_cba.php?id=8

 

[Slats432]

Thanks Buffaloed.

He goes through the draft, UFA.

Does he qualify for AHL?

 

[Vladi K]

Thanks Buffaloed.

He goes through the draft, UFA.

Does he qualify for AHL?

I know where you question originated from, and I know I am somewhat biased in this matter... However, I thought that the limitations to play in AHL were not 20 years of age or older, but having over 4 years experience (for N.A. in major juniors)... I might be wrong though..

Once again, sorry for making you go through all this trouble

 

[Slats432]

I know where you question originated from, and I know I am somewhat biased in this matter... However, I thought that the limitations to play in AHL were not 20 years of age or older, but having over 4 years experience (for N.A. in major juniors)... I might be wrong though..

Once again, sorry for making you go through all this trouble

Well first of all, remember that if there isn't a rule in place we defer to the CBA.

I was aware of this rule but at the time the Josh Gorges was signed by San Jose, he was 19 with only 3 years in the WHL which made him exempt from the 4 year CHL exemption.(Confused yet? )

My question is, if a player is 19 years old, and only 3 years in the CHL and goes undrafted, and gets signed by an NHL club like Josh Gorges was, is he eligible to play in the AHL?

 

[Buffaloed]

Thanks Buffaloed.

He goes through the draft, UFA.

Does he qualify for AHL?

Players signed from the CHL can play in the AHL if their 20th birthday is on or before Dec 31st of the playing season, or they've completed 4 seasons of Canadian Major Juniors. Gorges DOB is Aug 14 1984 and he hasn't completed his 4th season, so he doesn't meet either requirement. He'll be eligible for the AHL as soon as his junior team is done in the playoffs.