Hard core puck heads aren’t usually known to be avid readers of Vanity Fair.

However, the October issue of VF will give hockey fans an eye full, and for a good cause, too.

The magazine features a photo spread taken by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, who has become a serious shutterbug of note.

Miller’s subjects are fellow NHLers such as Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, dressed to the nines, and accented by items for the Hockey Fights Cancer collection, which is a joint NHL and NHLPA charity initiative.

“The photo shoot was a lot of fun,” said Miller, in a release issued by the Sabres. “It not only gave me the chance to spend time doing something that I love to do, but it also was a unique way to raise awareness for a good cause.”

Miller is heavily involved in charitable causes, as is his brother Drew, a former Portland Pirate now with the Detroit Red Wings.

Shots from the portfolio can be viewed at http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/09/nhl-slide-show-201009#intro .

Speaking of the Pirates, players will report to Portland on Wednesday, and will hold their first on-ice practice, Thursday, at Portland Ice Arena at approximately 10 a.m. (Practices are open to the public.)

Several prospective Pirates are still in the big league camp of the Buffalo Sabres, notably goalie Jhonas Enroth, defenseman T.J. Brennan, and forward Luke Adam, all of whom have made strong impressions in the Nickel City.

The Pirates will play the lone home pre-season game, Saturday, against the Manchester Monarchs, at PIA.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. affair will be available at the door.

York County players making moves in junior hockey

Junior hockey is in full swing around New England, which gives college hopefuls hailing from York County  opportunities to catch the eye of a host of recruiters.

The New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs program, headed by Biddeford native Sean Tremblay, has sent countless players on to college, including Biddeford’s Brian Dumoulin (Boston College).

New to the Jr. Monarchs this year, is Kennebunk grad Joey York, who is with the Monarchs’ B team in the Empire Junior League.

Among York’s teammates is another NHJM newbie, power forward Kyle Lajeunesse of South Berwick, who played with two other former Kennebunkers ”“ Mark Airoldi and Matt Tucceri ”“ at Berwick Academy.

“We felt he was ready to play at that (junior) level,” said Lajeunesse’s father Guy, the former Biddeford High football standout who has been a fixture for years in local high school baseball and football circles.

Tending goal for the Jr. Monarchs’ CHA entry is Matt Roy, who backstopped Biddeford to the Maine Class A state championship.

While on the subject of Jr. Monarch goaltenders, Boston College-bound Brian Billett is still waiting to see game action with the “A” (EJHL) team, after suffering an MCL strain.

“He’sis out for about two more weeks,” said Tremblay of the Kennebunk grad. “Nothing serious, just mildly annoying.”

Tremblay is still excited after having coached the U.S. National U-17 Select team to the Five Nations Cup championship this summer in Switzerland.

“Representing our country, for the second time,” said Tremblay, who served as an assistant on the 2006 gold medal winning Three Nations Cup effort, “never gets old and is a tremendous honor and one I take seriously. It was a great staff and was a joy working with them and the players gave us everything they had. The results showed.”

Other locals making their way in junior hockey include Matt Crowley (Thornton Academy) who is with the Springfield Olympics (EJHL), Tucceri (Boston Bulldogs, AJHL), and Cam Madore of Biddeford, who is also in his second year with the Bulldogs.

As well, goaltender Brandee Leclair (Biddeford) is in her second season with the Boston Shamrocks’ U-19 team.

Jr. Pirates still on the road

Meanwhile, the Portland Jr. Pirates continue to roam away from home.

The “A” team went 1-2 over the weekend in the AJHL Kickoff Showcase in Simsbury, Conn. The PJPs will play seven more times before returning to the MHG Ice Centre on Oct. 23.

The PJP “B” team ”“ bolstered for the time being by Biddeford High standouts Brady Fleurent and Eric Grover ”“ are off to a strong, 4-1 start in the MJHL.

B. C. goes for another title

On the college front, the question is this: Can Dumoulin and his Boston College mates repeat as Frozen Four champions?

Apparently many in the know think so.

The Eagles are ranked No. 1 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason poll, released Monday.

Boston College collected 504 points, including 28 of 34 first place votes.

North Dakota, Miami, Michigan, and Yale round out the top five, while Maine checks in at No. 7.

Black Bear junior Gustav Nyquist is the pre-season favorite to take the Hobey Baker Award.