With just one month to go before the typical start of the college hockey season, the 11 Division I men’s and women’s hockey conferences announced jointly Thursday that they will delay the opening of their season.

“The eleven Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey conferences, represented by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA), are committed to providing memorable experience for our student-athletes during the upcoming season,” the HCA said in its statement. “The conferences have been working together on plans to return to play with a focus on the health and safety of everyone associated within our campus communities.

“Due to the impact COVID-19 continues to have across the country and within higher education, the start of competition for the Division I college hockey season will be delayed. Each conference will announce plans for the season individually. We look forward to enjoying the college hockey experience this season.”

Last fall, Hockey East, which includes the University of Maine, started its season on Oct. 5. The Atlantic Hockey Association also started its season in early October. Hockey East announced in the end of July that it intended on playing the the 2020-2021 season with a priority of league competition.

“Specifically, the league plans to construct multiple balanced schedule models for both men’s and women’s leagues for the 2020-21 season,” Hockey East said. “These models will include added safety measures and allow for maximum scheduling flexibility.

“Ensuring the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, on-ice officials, league staff, and school administrations has been and will continue to be the league’s top priority. Ultimately, Hockey East is committed to providing the best experience possible for its student-athletes.”

Hockey East said at the time that it will announce its schedules at a later date. The HCA said in its statement Thursday that the individual conferences will announce their schedules in the near future.