On Tuesday, the 2015-16 season started to get real for Division I men’s teams.
When the calendar hits Sept. 15, coaches are allowed to direct full-squad practices for the first time, only in a limited capacity. Teams get two hours per week of skill instruction per week between Sept. 15 and the official start of the season, which this season is on Oct. 3.
(See the season’s composite schedule here.)
Here’s how Tuesday’s activities looked on Twitter:
At defending national champion Providence:
And so it begins. @FriarsHockey on ice at Schneider Arena for 1st practice of season. pic.twitter.com/6OvhorvZVC
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) September 15, 2015
At Robert Morris:
.@DerekSchooley & the rest of the @RMUHockey coaching staff working with the team this morning. @kody_van @mgershon02 pic.twitter.com/OqNJITU9MH
— Ashley Chase (@AshleyChaseTV) September 15, 2015
At Western Michigan:
18 more days until the first game of the season! #broncohockey pic.twitter.com/YNU4OHugKh
— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) September 15, 2015
At Connecticut:
Officially back on the ice, let the journey begin #IceBus #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/c3wp3UrGq6
— UConn Men’s Hockey (@UConnMHOC) September 15, 2015
At Minnesota:
First #Gophers skill instruction session of the season is in the books. pic.twitter.com/0oepayDnZw
— Minnesota M Hockey (@GopherHockey) September 15, 2015
At Notre Dame:
Hockey is back! #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/lLIt5v1KNK
— Notre Dame Hockey (@NDHockey) September 15, 2015
At Michigan Tech:
The boys are back. #mtuhky pic.twitter.com/CgYk7Zyv8H
— Michigan Tech Hockey (@mtuhky) September 15, 2015
At Michigan:
It’s good to be back. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ICBk8FYHDy
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) September 15, 2015
At Michigan State:
Back at it! pic.twitter.com/VPK4JD5v3k
— MSU_Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) September 15, 2015
At Mercyhurst:
Sr. Captain Anthony Mastrodicasa answering questions about the 1st day of practice with coaches. #HurstHockey pic.twitter.com/sbGFWUTC6Z
— Mercyhurst Hockey (@HurstMensHockey) September 15, 2015
Great first official practice with the new group. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/sMIwlIzUUb
— Greg Gardner (@CoachGards) September 15, 2015
The @HurstMensHockey were working on some off ice over-speed training today. pic.twitter.com/oB6q4xhrez
— Tyler G. Travis (@tylergtravis) September 15, 2015
At Bowling Green:
A little stretch for @BGFalconHockey after 1st day on the ice w coaching staff! #YCAGF pic.twitter.com/drFSpyW55d
— Ty Eigner (@TyEigner) September 15, 2015
Some coaches weighed in:
Day 1 in the books. Everyday counts. Everyone matters. #brotherhood
— Rico Blasi (@CoachBlasi) September 15, 2015
Day 1 of our journey begins @DU_Hockey, let’s go! #DoYouLoveIt
— Jim Montgomery (@DUCoachMonty) September 15, 2015
1st practice of the year today. It was great to be on the ice with the team. Look forward to getting started on Oct. 9. #RiseTogether
— David Berard (@DavidBerard30) September 15, 2015
At Alaska-Anchorage, the players started getting used to their new locker room surroundings:
#SeawolfHockey moved into their new digs today! pic.twitter.com/iraZdz6yMO
— UAA Hockey (@UAAHockey) September 15, 2015
At Rochester Institute of Technology, workers added some noise:
A new and extremely loud toy is being installed today at the @PolisseniCenter for @RITWHKY & @RITMHKY #GoalHorn pic.twitter.com/VNEYzRWP1O
— RIT Womens Hockey (@RITWHKY) September 15, 2015
And at home rinks around college hockey, new coats of paint were prepared:
Fresh paint serves as a reminder that the season is approaching … pic.twitter.com/kQmwntBWrO
— Brandon Thomas (@BT_unassisted) September 15, 2015
The @MullinsCenter crew doing a first-rate job laying ice this AM! @UMassHockey #18days pic.twitter.com/MfbNOdUH8h
— John Micheletto (@CoachMicheletto) September 15, 2015