Husband and I have been sharing season tickets with a friend. We pay half and our friend does the work. He's had tickets for 15+ years now so they're in a good spot (102 Row 23)

We've decided it's time for us to set out on our own for season tickets. We like the idea of going to all the games, the perks, and earning seniority. While we don't really want to spend the cash for section 102 ($85) when we have to pay for all of them (rather than the half we've been paying for) we'd like to sit in 103 or 104 ($71) or 201-204 ($49) or the same sections on the other side of the rink (still attack side, but across). 

So... on to my question... 

How exactly are season tickets assigned? I know there is an event, and I believe the time you attend is based on seniority, but do you have to commit to a price category before the event? Or can you just go and make a decision that day? Like "Oh, we really love these seats, so we don't mind spending $71 for them." or "Oh, there are no good $71 tickets left, let's go upstairs and get the best $49 ones we can find". 

Thanks for any insight you can provide on seat selection or other season ticket holder stuff :)