Playing and Practice Seasons

Division I

The playing season (practice and competition) for men's and women's ice hockey is the period of time between the date of an institution's first officially recognized practice session and the date of the institution's last practice session or date of competition, whichever occurs later.  The playing season for a particular sport is the only time within which an institution is permitted to conduct countable athletically related activities. 

A student-athlete's participation in countable athletically related activities shall be limited to a maximum of four hours per day and twenty hours per week.  Daily and weekly hour limitations do not apply to countable athletically related activities occurring during an institution's official vacation period and during the academic year between terms when classes are not in session. 

17.12.1 Length of Playing Season. The length of an institution's playing season in ice hockey shall be
limited to a 132-day season, which may consist of two segments (each consisting of consecutive days) and may exclude only required off days per Bylaw 17.1.6.4 and official vacation, holiday and final examination periods during which no practice or competition shall occur.

17.12.2 Preseason Practice. In men's ice hockey, an institution shall not commence practice sessions prior
to the Saturday of the 25th full weekend prior to the start of the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship.
In women's ice hockey, an institution shall not commence practice sessions prior to the Saturday of the 25th
full weekend prior to the start of the Women's National Collegiate Ice Hockey Championship.

During the playing season, all countable athletically related activities are prohibited during one calendar day per week, except during post-season championship play.

Division III

The playing season (practice and competition) for a particular sport is the period of time between the date of an institution's first officially recognized practice session and the date of the institution's last practice session or date of competition, whichever occurs later.  An institution is only permitted to conduct officially recognized practice and competition during the playing season as regulated for each sport.  The playing season for a particular sport is the only time within which an institution may conduct athletically related activities. 

The segments of the playing season are defined as follows:  traditional segment which is defined as that portion of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA Championship in the sport and non-traditional segment which is defined as the remaining portion of the playing season.

During the playing season, all athletically related activities are prohibited during one calendar per week, except during participation in NCAA Championships.

Limitations on athletically related activities occurring during the academic year do not apply in periods between academic terms when classes are not in session or during the institution's pre-season practice that occurs prior to the first day of classes.