USPHL Launches “Player First” Initiative to Give Players and Families Greater Clarity

USPHL • NCDC • USPHL Launches “Player First” Initiative to Give Players and Families Greater Clarity

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New education initiative provides clear guidance about roster opportunities, scholarship status, player agreements and individual rights

The United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) today announced the launch of USPHL Player First, a new education initiative designed to help prospective and current players, families and advisors make informed decisions about junior hockey opportunities.

Built around the message “Know Your Opportunity. Choose Your Path,” USPHL Player First provides clear information about roster status, scholarship designations, financial obligations, player agreements, releases and the differences between opportunities at the NCDC and Premier levels.

“Every player deserves to understand exactly what is being offered before making a commitment,” said USPHL Commissioner Tony Zasowski. “USPHL Player First gives players and their families the information they need to ask better questions, understand their options and make decisions with confidence.”

A central component of the initiative explains that NCDC and Premier are separate opportunities. Each level requires its own player agreement, and signing an NCDC agreement alone does not commit a player to Premier. A player may choose to commit to an organization at both levels, but that commitment must be made knowingly through separate, fully disclosed agreements.

The initiative also encourages players and families to obtain clear answers in writing about scholarship status. Players should understand whether an organization offers full or partial scholarships, whether they have been designated as a full-scholarship player, whether that designation has been reported to the League and exactly what expenses or benefits are included.

USPHL Player First highlights several important roster limits:

  • A maximum offseason Player Control List of 36 players
  • A maximum opening Active Roster of 26 players
  • A maximum of 40 NCDC contracts during the season

The initiative includes a “Know Before You Sign” checklist featuring 10 questions every player should ask:

  1. Is this opportunity NCDC, Premier or both?
  2. Am I signing a separate agreement for each level?
  3. Am I being offered an active roster opportunity?
  4. Is the NCDC organization full scholarship or partial scholarship?
  5. Am I one of its designated full-scholarship players?
  6. What is my complete financial obligation?
  7. What happens to my deposit under each possible roster outcome?
  8. Which equipment do I own, and which items must be returned?
  9. What happens if I am released or traded?
  10. Do I have a copy of every agreement and commitment?

Players should also understand their options following a release. An NCDC-only agreement does not automatically commit a player to Premier. After an NCDC release, accepting a Premier opportunity remains the player’s choice unless the player previously signed a separate, fully disclosed Premier agreement.

Players, families and advisors who have questions about scholarship status, agreements, roster or player-control status, releases, free agency or differences between what was offered and what appears in writing may contact USPHL Hockey Operations. Click here to learn more.