Friday reading: Gross, Fejes, Duluth, UND, WMU, Tech

Pine Creek HS graduate Taylor Gross, far left, models the new Penn State hockey home uniform. The captain of the women’s hockey team is joined by former CC standout Guy Gadowsky, the men’s head coach, third from left.

Incoming Tigers freshman Hunter Fejes is one of the rookies to watch this season according to this North Dakota blogger.

Senior forward Mike Seidel will need to have a good year producing those hard-work points to help Minnesota-Duluth remain a league contender after losing Hobey Baker winner Jack Connolly to graduation.

Here is the 2012-13 schedule for the CHL expansion franchise Denver Cutthroats, which includes a couple former Denver Pioneers. While checking out the home games, keep in mind that former Tiger Brian McMillin plays for the Allen Americans.

Western Michigan added a goalie for this season.

North Dakota’s beat writer explains the team’s TV broadcast deals for this season and next.

Freshman forward Blake Tatchell will need to step in and step up to replace the offense lost to graduation for Alaska-Anchorage.

The Mining Gazette offers a detailed first look at the Michigan Tech Huskies, who have high hopes after reaching the WCHA Final Five last season at the expense of the Tigers. Junior defenseman Daniel Sova will be a big reason (excuse the pun) why Tech fans have such high expectations.

Wednesday reading: Wisconsin, Mercyhurst, UMass, Gadowsky

Oft-injured Wisconsin forward Jason Clark has left the program after a strong performance in the Islanders development camp.

The Badgers athletic department gave out more than $1 million in bonuses to coaches last season.

The Mercyhurst coach got an extension through the 2015-16 season.

New UMass coach John Micheletto, pictured, knows he has a tough task ahead. Here are more links with reactions from UMass players.

Former Tiger Guy Gadowsky is talking at a coaches conference later today. Here is an update on the Kitchener lawsuit against The Michigan Daily student newspaper.

The Florida brass are not concerned about Nick Bjugstad‘s development slowing by staying another season at Minnesota.

Tuesday reading: SCSU, Fejes, Slavin, Bjugstad, Crabb, Duluth

St. Cloud State’s logo reportedly played a role in landing a Canadiens fan as a commit.

Incoming freshman forward Hunter Fejes showed the Coyotes why they drafted him in the NHL franchise’s recent development camp.

2013 defenseman signee Jaccob Slavin also did well in the Carolina camp.

Minnesota’s Nick Bjugstad will decide over the next couple weeks after an impressive showing at the Panthers’ development camp according to the team’s new beat writer:

“Panthers prospect Nick Bjugstad firmly denied that the Panthers had made him any contract offers or that he had turned down any (that a source told me yesterday). He will talk to his family about his decision in the coming days and hopes to decide over the next two weeks. Bjugstad has looked like a man among boys at this camp.”

Alex Ovechkin may be the most famous Washington Capital, but the depth of the organization springs, in part, from the U.S. National Team Development Program where four players, including former Tiger Joey Crabb, got their starts.

The Wisconsin State Journal points out Mike Eaves‘ connection to the top three  NHL free agents.

Former Denver player Drew Shore is in a battle for one of the three open forward spots with the Panthers.

Former Minnesota-Duluth standout Mason Raymond re-signed with the Canucks on Monday.

Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky, a former CC standout, was interviewed by the Pipeline Show. Here is the info as edited by a PSU fan blog with links to the full audio.

The Quebec junior league will find it harder to lure Americans away from the NCAA.

North Dakota women’s coach Brian Idalski received a contract extension with a base salary of $116,777.

Saturday reading: AHL and ECHL playoffs, Crabb, coaches meetings, Air Force schedule, Penn State arena, Knight injury, DU captains

Former Tiger captain Nick Dineen showed off what he can do, especially on face-offs and down low, during his short amateur tryout with the ECHL's Elmira Jackals.

Former Tiger Nick Dineen’s first pro season is over. The Eastern No. 1 seed Elmira Jackals lost to No. 5 Florida 2-1  Friday night and the best-of-seven ECHL playoff series 4-1.

Elmira had led the series 1-0 on Dineen’s game-winner in Game 1. Dineen is now a free agent. I would expect him sign an AHL contract this summer.

Alaska, which includes Tim Hall and Brian Swanson, now leads Stockton, which plays Ryan Lowery, 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Game 5 is Saturday night in California.

Gabe Guentzel played in his first pro playoff game, a 3-2 loss for Syracuse. David Civitarese was a scratch for Hershey in its 3-1 loss. Kris Fredheim and Chad Rau’s No. 8 seed Aeros are down 2-0 in their series against Oklahoma City while Abbotsford, led by Brian Connelly, cruised past Milwaukee.

Colorado Springs’ Jeff Dimmen, a former Maine standout defenseman, is playing for the powerful Norfolk Admirals squad, which won its pro-hockey record 29th game in a row on Friday, a mark that is 11 games longer than any other winning streak ever recorded in any league since hockey was professionalized in 1904. CC fans may remember him for scoring the game-winner against the Tigers in the Florida College Classic during December 2008.

Joey Crabb received a respectable grade from the Toronto beat writer for his best NHL season.

This week’s national coaches’ meeting will have plenty of issues to discuss, including half-shields and the new conference alignments.

Construction on the new ice hockey arena for Penn State, which begins play as a Division I independent this October, began officially on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony. Coach Guy Gadowsky, a CC alumnus, and two PSU players are interviewed in these videos.

Alaska-Anchorage announced its 2012-13 schedule which will include a game against Air Force in the Kendall Classic in Anchorage Oct. 13. The Falcons take on Alaska-Fairbanks at 3:07 p.m. Mountain on Oct. 12.

North Dakota’s Corban Knight played the last three months of the season with a broken hand.

Denver announced that junior defenseman Paul Phillips, who was an assistant this past season, will be the captain of the 2012-13 Pioneers.  Colorado Springs’ Chris Knowlton won the most improved award and will be an assistant captain along with Shawn Ostrow and Nick Shore.