I don't know how I feel about any of this. On the one hand, I can understand how SMJHL HO came to the conclusion that this qualified as tampering per the rule as written (albeit it is poorly written). At the same time I can also see a valid argument (at least in my eyes) that if AlexF did not ask for his release from STL then it shouldn't be considered tampering because no action was caused by the communication.

The real question I have, purely out of curiosity, is if STL was asked to release him or if they decided of their own free will to release him? I will probably never know the answer but if he was released by STL of their own free will then it is an illegal signing and, arguably, nothing more. If AlexF asked them to release him then I could see a more conclusive argument for tampering.

And thus ends my foray into SHL/SMJHL judicial commenting.