The Waxers have chosen to make public
facts as they pertain to the well-publicized transaction(s) involving Seth
Gray (hereafter referred to as "Player") from the Bowmanville
Eagles. This was done to provide clarification as there have been many
rumours and misunderstandings concerning the details surrounding this
case.
The public message board that can be
linked to from the main page of the OHA site has been the source for much
of the speculation and resulting rumours.
The information that follows does not
represent opinions but is a brief chronological view of the facts and
events that have taken place to date on the matter.
All of this material can be verified
from documentation filed with the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and
has been filed by the OHF.
On Friday, January 5, 2001, Markham
reached an agreement to purchase the Player from the Bowmanville Eagles.
In conversations with first the General Manager (GM) of the Bowmanville
club and then the GM of the Markham club, the Player did agree to report
that evening (the Waxers were playing at home that night).
The Player failed to attend the game
that evening (did not report), the Waxers continued to negotiate with
the Player. Bowmanville was guaranteed payment on an unconditional
basis, however, they subsequently sold the Player a second time to the
Lindsay Muskies sometime on the weekend (Jan. 6-8).
The Waxers were not advised that this
second transaction for the same Player was completed until the following
Monday (Jan. 8). On the Friday (Jan. 5 when the initial agreement was
reached) the Waxers and Bowmanville clubs met with the Bowmanville club
receiving full payment for the Player and the Waxers received a
completed and endorsed CHA release in exchange.
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA)
however, allowed Linday to sign the Player, using the same release
(dated Jan. 5/2001) as the Waxers had already received. The Waxers
concerns were communicated to the OHA Board of Directors (Jan. 10, also
the trading deadline) and the OHA Board issued a ruling that the Player
would be allowed to play in Markham or Bowmanville, no other club.
Lindsay subsequently appealed to the
Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and following the hearing on Jan. 23,
the appeal was upheld.
At this time the Waxers are carefully
considering all available options.
