A few random factoids that I've picked up in my travels: According to the NCAA, official D-II and D-III polls will be issued on the following dates this season: December 10th January 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th February 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th The ECAC West and 1/2 of the ECAC East pre-season coach's polls have been posted, but here's the complete list: ECAC West 1. RIT (4) 34 points 2. Mercyhurst (2) 30 3. Elmira 21 4. Canisius 18 5. Niagara 13 6. Hobart 10 ECAC East 1. Middlebury (18) 398 points 2. Colby (1) 376 3. Bowdoin (1) 352 4. Salem 309 5. Amherst 300 6. Hamilton 295 7. UConn 275 8. Williams 264 9. Babson 246 10. Norwich 235 11. Conn College 220 12. Holy Cross 179 13. Trinity 155 14. St. Anselm 146 15. AIC 118 16. New England 103 17. UMass-Boston 94 18. S. Maine 62 19. North Adams 51 20. Wesleyan 22 Also, the ECAC has announced 5 new programs to begin play - 2 men's teams and 3 women's teams. The ECAC North (Men's) will grow to include Johnson and Wales (RI) and Salve Regina (RI) starting next season (1997-98). The ECAC Alliance (Women's) will add Connecticut College in 1997-98, followed by Bates (ME) and Sacred Heart (CT) in 1998-99. This brings the total to 99 teams in ECAC Hockey. Chris Lerch US College Hockey Magazine HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.