Arthur Berman asked for a clarification of the NC$$ rules regarding the
restoration of NC$$ eligibility after a player has played for a Major Junior
team.
 
The NC$$ rules provide as follows:
 
"12.2.3.2.4     Major Junior A Ice Hockey.  Ice hockey teams in the United States
and Canada, classified by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association as major
junior A teams, are considered professional teams under NCAA legislation.
 Participation by any individual on a major junior A hockey team subsequent
to June 26, 1980, shall be considered prima facie evidence that the
individual has participated on a team that the individual knew (or had reason
to know) was a professional team and shall render the participant ineligible
for intercollegiate athletics in ice hockey.
 
        12.2.3.2.4.1    Limitation on Restoration of Eligibility.         An individual who
        has been involved in such participation is entitled to appeal for
restoration of eligibility under the provisions of 14.13; however, such
individual shall be denied at least the first year of intercollegiate
athletics competition in the sport of ice hockey at the certifying
institution and shall be charged with the loss of at least one season of
eligibility in the sport of ice hockey. (Revised: 1/11/89)
 
14.13   RESTORATION OF ELIGIBILITY
 
14.13.1 Basis for Appeal.  When a student-athlete is determined to be
ineligible under any applicable provision of the constitution, bylaws or
other regulations of the Association, the member institution, having applied
the applicable rule and having withheld the student-athlete from all
intercollegiate competition, may appeal to the Eligibility Committee for
restoration of the student's eligibility, provided the institution concludes
that the circumstances warrant restoration of eligibility."
 
 
It is my understanding that restoration of eligibility is NOT automatically
granted.  However, under certain circumstances the NC$$ will restore
eligibility, assessing a penalty of one year loss of eligibility.  The most
common circumstance where eligibility is restored is when the athlete attends
a Major Junior tryout camp and either stays longer than the permissible 48
hours or plays in a "scrimmage" where referees are on the ice.  I am do not
know whether the NC$$ will restore eligibility in a situation where the
player played an entire season of Major Junior competition.
 
Also one should note that the player has no standing to seek a restoration of
eligibility.  Restoration of eligibility must be sought by an NC$$ member
institution (i.e. a college).
 
 
Jack Berenzweig
GO MICHIGAN