As per the National Office, regarding determining which players are "LOCKED" to a particular roster, the ASA CODE is controlling.
In the scenario you presented, the athlete in question, even though playing in the Fall of 2011, in a Qualifier for the 2012 season, is not LOCKED to that roster, since it was:
1. A roster signed in 2011, and
2, prior to "The Local Associations Championship Roster Deadline."
I would strongly recommend that the athlete's purported 'new' Manager/Coach attend the meeting as described below, in order to obtain additional information regarding the Local Associations Championship Roster Deadline that will be put in place for the 2012 season.
Additionally, the 2012 ASA Code changes will be discussed, and what may be of particular importance is a change in Article 106.
does anyone know anything about the player release and the pick up player rules ?