Friday reading: Bloggers preseason poll, USCHO rankings, Lagrone, Face Off Luncheon, Mankato, Michigan Tech, Wisconsin, Gross

Eighteen bloggers, including yours truly and gmf1a of the CC fan forum, made their preseason picks and ranked CC eighth in the 3rd Annual Web Site and Bloggers Preseason Poll compiled by Tradition of Excellence. Give it a look.

USCHO announced its preseason Top 10 forwards, led by Minnesota’s Nick Bjugstad, who is pictured.

CC 2013/14 defenseman commit Duggie Lagrone of Dallas will play for NAHL Fairbanks this season.

Both Air Force coach Frank Serratore and CC coach Scott Owens are feeding off the enthusiasm of their players as the season nears.

There is a definite buzz around the Minnesota State program this preseason.

Six second-year coaches are discussed, including Michigan Tech’s Mel Pearson.

Here is a season preview about Miami.

Wisconsin really needed its new on-campus hockey facility. There is a lot for the Badgers to celebrate this season.

Pine Creek High School graduate Taylor Gross leads the Penn State women into the 2012-13 season.

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: West, Lowell, SCSU, Providence, Michigan

Former Minnesota women’s standout Emily West, a Pine Creek High School graduate in Colorado Springs, was named to the U.S. Over 18 camp roster for the 2012 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival Aug. 5-13 in Blaine, Minn.

The graduated Gophers captain scored the game-winners in the WCHA postseason and NCAA Tournament championships games to conclude her college career.

The festival ends with the selection of teams to represent the United States in a  a U22 series vs. Canada in Calgary. Three games between the two nations will be played from Aug. 16-19.

Here are the nine incoming freshmen, including fifth-round NHL draft pick Connor Hellebuyck, for future CC foe UMass-Lowell, which is coached by former Tiger assistants Norm Bazin and Jason Lammers.

Former SCSU standout  David Eddy was featured by the Calgary Flames web site.

Providence picked up a Flames’ NHL Draft pick a year earlier than expected.

Michigan retains a big-time defenseman.

Pine Creek grad West leads Gopher women’s comeback

Pine Creek High School graduate Emily West of Colorado Springs scored twice in four minutes in the third to spark the No. 2 Minnesota women to a 3-2 home win over Bemidji State on Friday.

The Gopher senior co-captain got the equalizer nine minutes into the third period on a power play score followed by an unassisted goal exactly four minutes later.

According to Minnesota sports information, it was West’s 10th goal of the season, and second game-winner this season. It marked the eighth multiple-goal game in her college career and tied her personal record for goals in a game.