Lehner signs with the Soo

Official link:
http://www.soogreyhounds.com/SSM_Greyhounds_NewsItem.aspx?ID=1134

I haven't been on much today but I don't think anyone mentioned this yet.

I always thought the CHL was an amateur league. What, exactly, then, does a signing mean? What other terms are there in the contract apart from agreeing to play?

wprager wrote:I always thought the CHL was an amateur league. What, exactly, then, does a signing mean? What other terms are there in the contract apart from agreeing to play?

I know they do get some form of compensation, that's why players who have played a game in the CHL are not eligible to play College hockey. That's why players like Caporusso, Wiercioch, and Grant play in the OPJHL, BCHL, and AJHL in order to wait before they graduate so that they will still be eligible for the NCAA.

Time to get it on Lehner.

The contracts aren't very different compared to AHL contracts.

Basically outlines that the player will commit to the team, as long as the team compensates the player with X. (X being weekly allowance, lliving expenses, travel expenses, health care/insurance, etc.)

It literally is exactly what you'd expect it to be.

So basically a signing in the CHL means the player has agreed to play in the respected league (QMJHL, OHL, WHL) and for whichever team holds his rights/contract.

Interesting sidenote, the contracts aren't locked in for exact terms, meaning the contract is only valid for however long the player decides to play in the CHL.

So if he wanted to Lehner could return home to play in the Swedish Jrs. and the Soo would get nothing in return and would have no foundation to persue a compensation.

Thanks for setting me straight, guys.

It sounds more like a commitment on the part of the franchise spelling out what they'll give the player and the player signs so there's no misunderstandings later. Not really much of a commitment from the player there. It makes sense though because you don't want to block the player from advancing his career.