I was surprised to see that Dave Fischer's MTU schedule listed the Huskies as playing Laurentian on October 7, because I knew that NC$$ rules prohibited teams from playing outside competition before the second Friday in October (17.10.3(a)). Dave alerted me to a change that has occurred in the rules this year. The following is taken from the 1995-96 NC$$ Manual: 17.10.2 PRESEASON PRACTICE. A member institution shall not commence practice sessions in ice hockey prior to the following dates: 17.10.2.1 Traditional Segment. September 7 or the institution's first day of classes for the fall term, whichever is earlier. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91 and 8/1/92, Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95) 17.10.2.2 Nontraditional Segment. September 7 or the institution's first day of classes for the fall term, whichever is earlier. (Revised: 1/10/92, Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95) 17.10.3 FIRST CONTEST. A member institution shall not play its first contest (game or scrimmage) with outside competition in ice hockey prior to September 7 or the institution's first day of classes for the fall term, whichever is earlier. (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95) Yes, that's *September* 7. No distinction is made among divisions. Previously, the rule read as follows: 17.10.2 PRESEASON PRACTICE. ... 17.10.2.1 Traditional Segment (a) Divisions I and II - The date that permits a maximum of 21 practice opportunities (see 17.02.13) prior to the first scheduled intercollegiate contest. (b) Division III - August 24 or the first date on which classes are scheduled for the institution's fall term, whichever date occurs first. 17.10.2.2 Nontraditional Segment (a) Divisions I and II - September 7 or the first day of classes, whichever date occurs first. (b) Division III - September 1 or the first date on which classes are scheduled for the institution's fall term, whichever date occurs first. 17.10.3 FIRST CONTEST. ... (a) Division I - The second Friday in October. (b) Divisions II and III - October 15. 17.10.3.1 Exception. One ice hockey game may be played on the first Saturday in October between two Division I intercollegiate teams at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. This is a SIGNIFICANT change, as far as I can tell. It could very well result in teams playing their first game in September, as well as holding their first on-ice practice earlier than the traditional October 1. I'm curious as to what led to the change. Does anyone have any additional information? I had been told that BC and MSU were going to need a special exemption from the NC$$ to play their first round game in the Great Western Freeze Out on Thursday, October 13 - a day earlier than the second Friday in October - but now this seems not to be necessary. I wonder what other teams may be planning to play on the first weekend in October or even earlier. --- --- Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] Cabletron Systems, Inc. *HMM* 11/13/93