Question: Assignment of Junior-eligible Player to Europe

[Vipers31]

This question regards the Ducks' Luca Sbisa, who is reassigned, destination unknown [Thread]. I've contemplated the idea of him being loaned to the Ducks' German sister-team of Cologne since he cannot play AHL this year. On a different board, I've been told that Lethbridge, holding his Junior-rights, would have to approve such a loan/assignment. I would love to find out whether that is actually correct, since quickly browsing the CBA actually didn't provide any clarity. Thanks in advance.

PS: I wasn't exactly sure whether it would be more a better fit on the business board, but I figured the chances of receiving an answer would probably be better where people deal with prospects on a more regular basis.

[Ami]

We will try to confirm this for you tomorrow. Unfortunately the proper contacts at the WHL are unreachable tonight!

[wings5]

It would certainly be an interesting idea. Something that would be beneficial for someone like Ryan Ellis who by next year may not be NHL ready but still too good for juniors. Maybe a club can pick him up in the KHL draft.

[Kevin Forbes]

Hi Vipers,

Since I was the one who replied to your original question, I will try to reply to this.

As a player who was playing in the WHL when he was drafted, Sbisa's rights are held under the CHL/NHL agreement, which is a confidential document between the two leagues. This is the same document that prevents a player like Sbisa from being assigned to the AHL or ECHL (or other minor league) before he turns 20 years old.

While, as I mentioned, the CHL/NHL agreement is a confidential document, to agreement more or less states that should a junior-aged player be deemed unable to make the NHL squad (like Sbisa has been now and like countless junior prospects are at every training camp), the junior team will get the player back. It's designed to prevent the top talent of the CHL from being taken from the league soon after they are drafted and be sent to the AHL.

I believe it might actually be 'first refusal' where the junior squad has the option to pass on receiving the player (I think there was a situation like that with a Carolina prospect and the Plymouth Whalers (also owned by the Canes owner) where the Whalers allowed a Carolina prospect to be sent to the minors early).

In any case, an assignment to Europe would go against this agreement. This would be different from unsigned and/or undrafted Import players choosing to leave the CHL and return to Europe (like the Bashkirovs did) or unsigned RFAs choosing to go to Europe (like Ducks prospect Petteri Wirtanen for example). Due to his NHL contract and the CHL/NHL agreement, the options for Sbisa are extremely limited.

[Vipers31]

Originally Posted by Ami

We will try to confirm this for you tomorrow. Unfortunately the proper contacts at the WHL are unreachable tonight!

Originally Posted by Kevin Forbes

In any case, an assignment to Europe would go against this agreement. This would be different from unsigned and/or undrafted Import players choosing to leave the CHL and return to Europe (like the Bashkirovs did) or unsigned RFAs choosing to go to Europe (like Ducks prospect Petteri Wirtanen for example). Due to his NHL contract and the CHL/NHL agreement, the options for Sbisa are extremely limited.

Thanks to both of you for the quick replies!

The last paragraph helped me considerably trying to narrow down the potential, or rahter actual, problems in this. It's an interesting situation nonetheless. Maybe the Ducks could somehow accomodate Lethbridge for waiving their first right of refusal in some way, which however might be the subject of the Ducks' research before announcing the destination of Sbisa's reassignment.

Again, thanks!

[wjhl2009fan]

Originally Posted by wings5

It would certainly be an interesting idea. Something that would be beneficial for someone like Ryan Ellis who by next year may not be NHL ready but still too good for juniors. Maybe a club can pick him up in the KHL draft.

The probleam is the nhl and the chl have an agreement.For a player like ellis to go to the khl there would have to be a agreement in place which i can not see that happening any time soon.

[wings5]

Originally Posted by wjhl2009fan

The probleam is the nhl and the chl have an agreement.For a player like ellis to go to the khl there would have to be a agreement in place which i can not see that happening any time soon.

So basically you say that junior players cannot play in the KHL until their junior careers are over? Also, what about the import players in the CHL can't they not go back tro Europe if they chose?

[Kevin Forbes]

Originally Posted by wings5

So basically you say that junior players cannot play in the KHL until their junior careers are over? Also, what about the import players in the CHL can't they not go back tro Europe if they chose?

The CHL-NHL agreement merely dictates where players who were drafted (and signed, or in some cases, just signed) out of the CHL (so they had to have been playing in the CHL prior to being drafted or signed) can play while they are still junior eligible. It comes into effect once a player signs that first NHL contract.

Junior players can go to the KHL should they choose. I believe they would need to seek a release from their CHL club. For example, QMJHL forward Yuri Cheremetiev was drafted in the KHL and went to a tryout in Russia this season prior to returning to the QMJHL for his over-age year (despite his name, Cheremetiev is not an Import player). However, the player cannot have a contract with the NHL (due to the same transfer agreement problems that happen between the KHL and NHL today with older players).

Import players can also choose to return to Europe. Again, they would need to be released by their CHL club. Examples would be players like Roman and Ruslan Bashkirov, who returned to Russia, even after Ruslan was drafted by the Ottawa Senators.