Back to the ice: Here’s how teams captured the first day of practice

You’ve probably seen plenty of pictures on Facebook of kids posing on the first day of school.

College hockey has its equivalents, and Monday was one of those days.

The official first day of practice for most Division I men’s college hockey teams is still more than two weeks away, but Monday was a key day nonetheless.

Starting on Sept. 15 each year, teams are able to spend two hours per week together on the ice with coaches for skill instruction.

Once the school year starts, coaches can do on-ice work with groups of no more than four players at a time. And players can work out in captains practices.

But Monday was what some consider the first day of practice.

Some teams chronicled the day on social media. Alabama-Huntsville put together a video of the morning skate.

[youtube_sc url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBm-wd0Duww]

Connecticut went through its first workout as a Hockey East member.

We saw some legendary coaches back on the ice.

 

And here’s a sampling from the rest of college hockey.

 

 

 

 

The season officially starts for most schools on Saturday, Oct. 4. We say most schools because Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage are exempt from starting date bylaws.

The Nanooks have the honor of playing the first game this season against outside competition, an exhibition against Western Ontario on Oct. 3.

Division I women’s teams start playing against outside competition this Saturday, with Quinnipiac and Robert Morris playing exhibition games.