Has a Junior A player been in this situation before and/or what advise do you have?

Question

My son made a Tier 2 Junior A hockey which he is very thankful and happy. He made a 100% commitment to this team when the coach said he made the team. But now a Tier 1 team invited my son to their main camp and has a chance to making this team, which as you know is a higher level of play.

But now here's the main problem. The Tier 1 main camp is interfering with the Tier 2's team picnic and 1st day of training camp.

So my son doesn't know if he should take the chance and try to make a Tier 1 team and then maybe the Tier 2 team will get upset that he's not at the team picnic and 1st day of training camp.

My son plans on calling the coach from the Tier 2 team and asking him what he should do BECAUSE there is no way he wants to cause any conflict with the team he has commitment to, especially if he doesn't make the Tier 1 team and plays for the Tier 2 team.

He wants to go as far as possible in hockey and Tier 1 gets more drafts into the NHL and College then Tier 2, but he still doesn't want to make anybody upset from his Tier 2 team.

The best thing is for my son to talk to his Tier 2 coach and see what he thinks ... right?

Has anybody gone through this and/or what do you think?

Answer 1

Talking to his coach would be a start.  To be honest, I think he should honor his commitment to his team unless if his Tier 2 coach strongly encourages him to try out for Tier 1.

According to Wikipedia, Tier 1 players can still play in the NCAA (see source)

Answer 2

Calling the coach is the right thing, but the coach most likely would want him to go for it. It would kinda be selfish for the coach to say no. This is one of those things that a decision has to be made.

Answer 3

By Tier 1 & 2 I am assuming you are talking something similar to AJHL BCHL SJHL vs WHL OHL QMJHL. First thing is that your son is correct in talking to his current coach first. Reassess the situation once you have his answer.

The second thing to consider is that if you play even one shift in a Tier 1 game (exhibition or reg season) or sign a standard playing agreement you forfeit all rights to play in the NCAA. Make sure college hockey is or is not an option before you do anything with a tier 1 team.

Tier 1 (or Major Junior) in Canada is the CHL. Tier 1 in the USA is not Major Junior.