I'll just add my own two cents (about all it's worth) in terms of
"Pre-season" practice.  I believe that if a team chooses to get together
and practice WITHOUT THE COACHES prior to the official start of practices,
that does not count towards any limits.
 
The scuttlebutt I've heard is that it's pretty standard for the team captains
to run unofficial practices (or at least skating-informal scrimmage sessions)
as part of the "Pre-season" practice.
 
The key is that none of this can have any amount of direction by the coaches.
 
This is scuttlebutt and I've never thought to get it confirmed, so no money
back guarantees are offerred.  I could be wrong (a phrase I rarely use :-)  ).
 
Dave Hendrickson
 
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