Thunder's attitude

**SpiderRat** · 02-04-2004, 09:47 PM

Here is a quote from an email I received tonight concerning John P from the Thunder team;

Roger, "I have spoken to both johnny and mark the owner of the thunder, johnny says he is done with them, but mark said, he will not release him till the playoffs start, so that he can't play for nobody elese...". If that's not messed up, I don't know what is. This isn't the NHL.
Can't players be able to skate for whoever, and whenever they want? Now, because of the Thunder coach, Johnny, one of the leagues best and exciting players, has to sit out and watch. What a shame. This is like when we were kids and once the best kid got picked, the captain of the other team cried and went home. Shame shame shame Coach. Is your goal of winning, at the expense of others, getting your sense of morality clouded.

**NLane** · 02-05-2004, 07:58 AM

Then maybe more thought should have been put into SIGNING the contract with them. What deal went sour? Do you think you know the whole story? So he holds out. His choice. He could still be playing-with the team for which he signed.

**Db55UD02** · 02-05-2004, 08:48 AM

I give John P credit for sticking to his convictions. IF there is an owner or gm out there who won't grant you a release ( especially when you are paying fees to play in the mlrh), then it is bush league at best. I understand why the Thunder gm would not want to release him, but from a league perspective, he should be able to play somewhere else with his talent level. From my experience with owners who don't really know anything about hockey and just evaluate talent on who he or she likes, it just isn't fair. Good luck JP on your future endeavors....

Its not fun until PIHA starts up again....

**NLane** · 02-05-2004, 09:17 AM

Have to admit the teams I've been associated with have not had that problem but I still don't know if the whole story has been told. The owners need protection too from players that just want out. Contracts should be taken seriously even at this level and your word should also stand for something. Commitment from both parties will be necessary for this league to continue to improve.
Speaking of which...has anyone else noticed the LACK of complaining this year about MLRH compared to other years? I guess the league did something right in the off season. Thanks to all who participated in the effort.

**bottom_line** · 02-05-2004, 10:06 AM

agreed, contracts should be taken seriously, the day we do not have to PAY to play in the league, until then it's a traveling house league... since he is PAYING to play in the league, he should be able to go where he pleases...

**SpiderRat** · 02-05-2004, 11:19 AM

Hey bottom line, we agree on something. Cool.

**AJH2731** · 02-05-2004, 12:09 PM

Sounds like a shot if I ever heard one... From my experience, every owner in the league I have delt with has satisfied any and all requests by the players.

**thunder35** · 02-05-2004, 12:13 PM

I truly hate to do this guys, but in Marks defense........or not........he is a young guy trying to make good by keeping all his so called "friends" happy. The issue actually should be about some of the players who have pushed Mark to do this and not of Mark himself. I should know how it is since I played with them.........or at least I was in uniform at times last year (just not all there mentally in spirit for the TEAM, cause that is what it is all about). If you need to really know who those "friends" are, just look towards the man with the "c" on his uniform.

**Db55UD02** · 02-05-2004, 01:40 PM

AJ,
If i wanted to blast the ones I have dealt with, I could certainly do so. Every team has a closet full of skeletons ( even the good ole glads) and has favortism to certain players. Luckily, I haven't had to deal with a team mired in debt and ask me for extra money along the way. I guess that is why I am very happy to be apart of the Growl organization. Nothing like up front fees ( tryout) and a bond that is returned to you. If you cant get a certain number of fans or minimal sponsorship money, then you may have to put up more money to support the organization. First Growl Game up in Morristown, NJ, on March 6th...Nice

Its not fun until PIHA starts up again....

**-venom-** · 02-05-2004, 01:50 PM

Yeah and it looks like I'll be there with ya, back in action. haha.... Word has it that I'm the Growl goon.....

hahahahahaa

**CoachChrisG** · 02-05-2004, 04:10 PM

This is very true.

Remember, even in NARCh the players in NARCh Pro get compensation but are pretty much free to play wherever they choose. (Yoder plays for 3 different teams that I know of, Mudcats, Gladiators and Typhoon.)

I find it very strange to be signing players to contracts with no compensation given to the player for committing his services to that team exclusively. That doesn't sound legal...