Development Pool (Pro Only)

7.1 Definition of Development Pool

  • The Development Pool is a curated list of eligible players from the Challenger divisions, TSR League, and Free Agents, selected by admins before each season.
  • These players may be drafted by Pro teams in a preseason Development Draft. Once drafted, players are locked to that team for the entire regular season unless officially released back into the pool.
  • Each pro team drafts 3 players to their development pool.

7.2 Use of Development Pool Players in Matches

  • Each team may field a maximum of 2 Development Pool players per match, with at least 2 core rostered players on the rink at all times.
  • Players are limited to 5 regular season match appearances (1 appearance = participation in any portion of a match).
  • Once this limit is reached, they must either be promoted to the main roster or rendered inactive.

7.3 Eligibility and Draft Process

  • Eligible players must not have played more than 15 periods in any single prior Pro division season.
  • All eligible players from the Challenger division, TSR League and Free Agency Lists are automatically entered into the Development Pool. Players may opt out of the pool by submitting a request via the EUSL ticket system before the draft deadline.
  • The Development Draft will take place during the preseason and follows a reverse-order format, where teams that finished lower in last season’s Pro standings will receive higher picks.
    • Draft Order Rules:
      • Gauntlet Winner – 1st Pick
      • Challenger Winner – 2nd Pick
      • Remaining pick order is the reverse order of the previous pro season.
      • Newly formed teams are placed at the bottom of the draft order. (Non Core-3)
      • If multiple new teams are added, their draft order will be determined by random draw.
    • The draft will proceed in serpentine format (i.e., 1 → 8, then 8 → 1) unless otherwise specified by the admins.
  • Each Pro team may select a fixed number of players (e.g., 3 picks, subject to admin announcement).
  • Undrafted players will be placed on a reserve list, eligible for mid-season pickup with admin approval. Reserve pickups are typically allowed:
    • If an emergency arises and no drafted players are available,
    • Or during a designated mid-season waiver window, if one is announced.

7.4 Usage Rules

  • A team may use a player from their own Development List without prior approval, but must submit a support ticket within 24 hours of match completion.
  • Teams using a player not on their drafted pool list without valid cause will forfeit the match.
  • If no players from a team’s Development List are available, and a genuine emergency arises, a team may request approval to use an undrafted Development Pool player, subject to League Referee review.

7.5 Playoff Substitutes

  • During the Pro Playoffs, each team may field one Development Pool player per series, provided they were originally drafted by that team
  • Pool players who have already appeared the maximum number of times during the regular season are still eligible for postseason usage, within the same rules.
  • Each Development Pool player may make only one series appearance during the Pro Playoffs.