The accolades for Ève Gascon and Caitlin Kraemer are already started rolling in -- and the senior goaltender and junior center haven't even skated in a game yet.

The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey duo was named to the 2026-27 Preseason All-Western Collegiate Association Team, a team selected by the league's head coaches. The pair becomes the first double Bulldogs named to the team since former All-Americans Gabbie Hughes and Ashton Bell were both put on the squad before the 2002-23 season.

Gascon is coming off duty in August with Canada's National Women's Development Team, and her effort was highlighted by a sparkling 0.84 save percentage and .979 save percentage in two games and an extra period of play. The native of Mascouche, Quebec is a two-time All-American, a two-time All-USCHO First Team selection, a two-time WCHA Goaltender of the Year and two-time All-WCHA First Team member. A six-time WCHA Goaltender of the Week last season, Gascon posted 10 shutouts, (the second most in a single season by a Bulldog goaltender) and second most in the NCAA in 2025-26. Gascon owned a 1.77 goals against average over all her 35 games started made 993 saves -- the third most in a single-season in program history and averaged 28.3 saves per game and owned a .942 saves percentage. Her .943 save percentage in WCHA games was also a league-high.

Kraemer also skated with Canada's National Women's Development Team in August, bookending a busy summer for the Waterloo, Ontario product, who was also invited to the NHL's Edmonton Oilers Development Camp in early July. A 2025-26 All-WCHA Third Team selection and All-WCHA Academic Team member, Kraemer followed up her 2025 HCA Julie Chu Rookie of the Year (first Bulldog to earn the honor) and 2024-25 WCHA Rookie of the Year freshman campaign by leading the Bulldogs with 30 points in 36 games on 15 goals and a team-high 15 assists. Kraemer tied for a team-best four game-winning goal and posted seven multiple-point games. 

Kraemer also received votes for WCHA Player of the Year, while rookie forward Edit Danielsson received votes for WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year.

The league coaches also tabbed the Bulldogs to finish fourth in the WCHA this season, one of four teams that qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Ohio State University was picked to finish first with 48 points, while defending NCAA champion the University of Wisconsin had 44 votes in second. The University of Minnesota was just three points ahead of the Bulldogs with 35 points – UMD was in fourth with 32.

2026-27 WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll

Place School (First Place Votes) Points

WCHA Preseason Player of the Year: Joy Dunne, Sr., F, Ohio State

Others Receiving Votes: Caitlin Kraemer, Jr., F, Minnesota Duluth

WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year: Adrianna Milani, F, Minnesota

Others Receiving Votes: Edit Danielsson, F, Minnesota Duluth; Payton Finnie, F, Minnesota State; Nela Lopusanova, F, Wisconsin; and Rosalie Tremblay, F, Wisconsin.

2026-27 Preseason All-WCHA

Pos. Name School Cl. Hometown

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position):

Forwards: Kelly Gorbatenko, Sr., Wisconsin; Cassie Hall, Sr., Wisconsin; and Hilda Svensson, So., Ohio State.

Defenders: Laney Potter, Sr., Wisconsin; and Lauren Zawoyski, Sr., Minnesota State.

Goaltenders: Hailey Hansen, Sr., Minnesota State; and Ava McNaughton, Sr., Wisconsin.