If a request for votes for the WCHA media poll has been made, then the puck should be dropping almost any day for the 2012-13 season. Bruce Ciskie of Red Rock Radio in Duluth has asked for votes by Sept. 23. Minnesota Duluth opens its schedule Oct. 12 versus Ohio State at Amsoil Arena. Thirty-six days until then.

Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free Press is already opining on what lies ahead in the WCHA in a pre-preseason view right here.

The top incoming freshman classes in Division I were ranked recently by The Hockey Guys.net. See where the Bulldogs are rated in a posting here.

The publication Hockey Sweden, or Hockey Sverige, has a feature story on center Jack Connolly in his first year with Farjestad BK, based in Karlstad, Sweden. The translated story is here.

Former UMD center MacGregor Sharp, 26, has re-signed with HC Bolzen of Italy. He had 22 goals and 24 assists for 46 points in 42 games last season. A non-translated news release is here.

Boston University released the findings from an internal investigation into the men’s hockey team, following off-ice incidents last season. The Boston Globe distills the 11-page report in a story here.

Michigan Stadium at the the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is to be the site of the NHL’s Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 1. Yet a league work stoppage may threaten the game. One insider’s guess (not mine) is that the NHL season won’t begin until Thanksgiving, at the earliest. The Detroit Free Press has an update on the Winter Classic in a story here.