In my experience, it depends on the coach & your relationship to the coach. I'll assume that you have some sort of kinship with other parents on the team (otherwise you are probably looking to bolt) so ask one of them that was on the team last year how your coach handles it.

If no one helps you and your coach will actually talk with a parent, use your "newness" to this insane world to your advantage. "Coach, Johnny really loves it here but I'm new to this so can you help me understand what to expect with regards to his status for next season?"

If he tells you anything other than, "Don't worry, he's all set, you'll have your contract on Feb 1", plan on getting your kid some skates with other teams. If you don't have your contract on 2/1 as promised, move fast and get him some time at other orgs before tryouts.

Every coach and org handles this differently but I will say, you should try and find out where things stand by mid January so you can arrange skates if necessary.

I have to agree that all coaches and organizations do it different. We have played at two. We have always been "invited" back but neither organization had contracts ready until after tryouts. Now, please don't start with "sorry your kid got cut" and I am fully aware that any of these kids could be cut at tryouts with no contract. However, both coaches at both organizations let several kids know that there was a chance they would not be invited back or you should definitely look elsewhere. They were very stand up, everyone asked to stay was still offered contracts after tryouts. I know it is not done that way everywhere and I know some actually have contracts in hand. It really depends on how they do it where you are

I've already been told by my club that they want my kid back next season. So if you don't know by now, or within a couple of weeks... I'd ask. But be prepared to hear something you might not like.

That is an EHF rule. The coach should be telling the org who is a definite and who is on the fence...not the other way around?? Org doesn't tell the coach who is or isn't on the team.

Judging by the number of unhappy parents on the dboard, it should be a fun second half of the season.

Kings will give you a verbal then pull the rug out from underneath you.

This is one of the most bizarre threads I have seen on here in a long time.

First off, you should be picking your child's organization based on a long term plan, decide where you want to play based on their development model and stay there for the duration.

I am also confused about the wanting kids back, this is the time of year to talk to coach, and how many kids can be cut.

How can anyone commit to anyone without knowing who is going to be at evals next year, of course the lower the talent the more recruiting for evals coaches do, but how can you commit to anyone without knowing what is available, sure your top three or four may be a guarantee, but after that there is no guarantees at this time of the year.

OK, all the know-it-alls are out. Let's go back tot he OP's question.

Every org is different. Some handle kids and families better than others. Some coaches have more pull than others. We don't know which org or coach the OP is referring to, whether they develop kids, whether they are good or bad.

So, the basics. If your kid is having fun, and if you feel he is being developed and challenged, if you have a good coach/asst. coach, if it's a good locker room, if coach's kids aren't being overtly advantaged in terms of playing time, and you'd like to stay, check in with the coach in January, just to make sure. If he says Johnny is definitely in his plans, ask him what his policy, what team's policy is in terms of providing contracts - when should you expect it by? If he says "after tryouts," you have to decide - do you trust him enough to wait?

But, always have a Plan B, too. Know who you would want to go to if something changes last minute, because sometimes it does. You don't make a team in tryouts. it's just the way it is.

When is the right time for the head coach to tell the team he is not coaching the team next year?

"Signing a contract", absolutely hilarious to read when talking about kids of this age....you folks are pretty funny I'll tell you that!

Thanks tips, I'm well aware of that.....and it's still funny! I think it's hilarious to watch all the dads act like Scott Boras during free agency.....

^^ Exactly - well said.