Here are the key dates leading up to the start of the 2012 Canadian Football League season.

Feb. 15 — Free agency opens at 10 a.m. MST. Please note that the time has changed from previous years to help make it more time-friendly for fans, media, personnel, coaches, agents and players.

Mar. 2 — The top head coach of the 2011 season will be honoured during the 51st CFL Coach of the Year Celebration. This year’s Coach of the Year Luncheon will take place at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Toronto.

Mar. 2-4 — In preparation of the 2012 CFL Canadian Draft, general managers, coaches and scouts from all eight teams will be in Toronto to evaluate more than 50 of the country’s top football prospects. This year’s Evaluation Camp is being held at the Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel and Varsity Centre at the University of Toronto.

May 3 — The 2012 CFL Canadian Draft will be held on Thursday, May 3 starting at 1 p.m. MDT. The first two rounds will be broadcast on TSN. All six rounds will be made available for fans to watch online at TSN.ca.

May 30 — Rookie camps open

June 3 — Training camps open

June 15 — Pre-season opener against the Edmonton Eskimos at McMahon Stadium

July 1 — Regular-season opener against the Montreal Alouettes at McMahon Stadium