How Free Agency Works
ChelHead's free agency page has two views. Players lists skaters and goalies looking for a club, and Clubs lists clubs that are recruiting. Both sides set up a listing, browse the other side, and message the people who look like a fit.
Most of what makes free agency work is being clear about what you want and honest about what you offer. A listing that states your positions, the game types you play and when you are available saves everyone time.
For Players: Your Listing
Be honest about your preferred positions and your availability. Clubs appreciate it, and overstating either one leads to a bad fit for both sides.
Say what you are good at and what you are still working on. If you are strong in your own end but less of a scorer, say so. If you can play most nights but not on particular days, include that. The more a club can learn from your listing, the easier it is for them to decide whether to reach out.
Clubs can open your ChelHead player page to check your stats. Stats are not everything, but they give a club something concrete to go with your description.
For Players: Finding a Club
Browse the Clubs view and read each listing for the positions they need and the game types they play. Then open the club's ChelHead page and look past the record: the roster, recent games and how often the same players turn up together tell you a lot about how the club runs.
Think about fit as well as level. A club that needs a defenseman for 6v6 on weeknights is a better match for a weeknight defenseman than a stronger club that plays a different format at times you cannot make. Some clubs care most about results, others about playing with people they get along with. Find one whose priorities match yours.
For Clubs: Your Listing
Your listing should say which positions you need, which game types you play, and when. Be specific: "LD for 6v6, Tuesday and Thursday nights" gets better replies than "looking for players".
Describe the club honestly. Are you focused on winning or on having fun? Are you a new club building a roster, or an established one filling a specific gap? Players can only judge fit if you tell them.
For Clubs: Evaluating Players
On the Players view you can filter by position, game type and availability. From there, open a player's ChelHead page. Point totals are a start, but the Player Score breakdown shows where a player's contribution comes from: shots and possession, takeaways and interceptions, blocks, faceoffs, or giveaways and penalty minutes on the other side.
Compare players at the position you actually need. A defenseman's numbers should be read against other defensemen, and a center's faceoff record matters more than a winger's. And remember that fit counts: a skilled player who cannot make your nights, or does not get along with the room, will not help much.
Talking to Each Other
When you reach out, be clear about why. Players can say what interests them about the club and where they would fit. Clubs can say what they need and why the player looks like a match.
Reply to messages even when the answer is no. A short "thanks, but not a good fit" is better than silence and keeps your reputation in good shape.
Before committing, play a few games together if you can, and ask about expectations: how often the club plays, what role you would have, and how lineups are picked. Keep your listing up to date as your availability changes, including once you have found a club.