FAQ: Letter of Intent (LOI)
It is that time of the year when Junior ‘A’ programs across Canada are beginning to sign hockey players to letter of intents. To help hockey families better understand what an LOI is and is not, we have broken down some frequently asked questions on LOIs.
(*This article is specific to CJHL rules and regulations. There are differences between the rules in the CJHL and non-sanctioned leagues like the BCHL)
What is a Letter of Intent?
Hockey Canada does not release its player cards to Junior ‘A’ programs until June 1. Therefore, an LOI is ultimately an agreement between a player and a team to sign a Hockey Canada card on June 1. As long as the LOI is certified within its Junior ‘A’ league, it is exactly the same thing as signing with a team on June 1. Some leagues like the Alberta Junior Hockey League post all of their LOI signings on their website for total transparency.
Does signing an LOI guarantee a spot on the team?
An LOI does not guarantee a player a spot on a team. In fact, typically 20-40 per cent of players who sign LOIs with teams are cut or traded before day one of the regular-season. It’s important to do some research to see if a team is known for overcommitting on the LOI front. The coaching staff typically dictates the team’s code of conduct.
Can a team release a player from an LOI even before training camp starts?
It is extremely rare, but technically a team could release an LOI in between June 1 and training camp. They must certify the card on June 1 to follow CJHL protocol, but there is no rule in place that enforces a team to not release recent signings during the summer.
How early and late can a team release a player during the year?
There is a roster freeze from January 10 to June 1; that is the only time a player can not be released from a team other than the Christmas freeze (December 10 to January 1).
Is there a limit on how many players a team can sign to an LOI?
Hockey Canada Junior ‘A’ rosters are limited to a maximum of 25 players. Therefore, with returning players, a team is not allowed to exceed 25 players on a roster.
The bottom line is every player needs to approach training camp with urgency. There is no golden ticket to ensure a spot on a team. LOI or not, every player needs to make the team out of main camp to solidify a spot on the 25-man roster. Moreover, it is important to do research on a team’s track record before signing an LOI. Every team will cut players signed to an LOI. There is, however, a notable ethics difference between a team that cuts 2-3 LOIs to a team that cuts 4-7 in training camp.
@IceExposure