Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings men's ice hockey

The Augustana Vikings men's ice hockey is a NCAA Division I ice hockey team that began play in the fall of 2023.[2]

Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings men's ice hockey
Current season
Augustana (South Dakota) Vikings athletic logo
UniversityAugustana University
ConferenceCCHA
First season2023–24
Head coachGarrett Raboin
2nd season, 12–18–4 (.412)
Assistant coaches
ArenaMidco Arena[1]
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
ColorsNavy and Gold
   

History edit

In the summer of 2021, in accordance with plans for Augustana University to raise its athletic programs from NCAA Division II to Division I, the university announced that there was interest in adding a men's ice hockey program.[3] After receiving donations from several sources, spearheaded by T. Denny Sanford, the school was able to move forward with plans for the program. On October 5, the school broke ground on the Midco Arena, a $40 million, 3,000-seat venue that the team will use as its home rink.[4] The Vikings played their first five home games off campus at Denny Sanford Premier Center.[1] Midco Arena opened on January 26, 2024, and the Vikings played their first game at the arena on the same date.[5]

The program is the first varsity ice hockey team at any level to call South Dakota home.

On April 18, 2022, the program announced the hiring of Minnesota Golden Gophers' assistant coach Garrett Raboin as the team's inaugural head coach.[6] On May 17, 2022, it was announced that the Vikings will become a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, playing a transitional schedule its first two years before playing a full CCHA schedule come the 2025–26 season.[7]

Season-by-season results edit

All-time coaching records edit

As of the completion of 2023–24 season

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2023–Present Garrett Raboin 1 12–18–4 .412
Totals 1 coach 1 season 12–18–4 .412

Current roster edit

As of July 20, 2023.[8]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
3   Anthony Stark Graduate D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-04-09 New York, New York Colgate (ECAC)
6   Ethan Perrault Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2003-01-26 Tipp City, Ohio Johnstown (NAHL)
7   Evan McIntyre Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2000-10-17 Oakville, Ontario Ohio State (Big Ten)
8   Ben Troumbly Sophomore F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-11-21 Bovey, Minnesota Bismarck (NAHL)
9   Hayden Hennen Freshman D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-08-13 Hallock, Minnesota Anchorage (NAHL)
10   Arnaud Vachon Graduate F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-05-13 Ajax, Ontario Colgate (ECAC)
12   Hunter Bischoff Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 2003-03-24 Cohasset, Minnesota Youngstown (USHL)
13   Will Howard Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2002-07-30 Grand Forks, North Dakota New Mexico (NAHL)
15   Luke Mobley Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-11-25 St. Louis Park, Minnesota Clarkson (ECAC)
17   Ryan Naumovski Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1999-07-28 Shelby Township, Michigan Niagara (AHA)
19   Will Svenddal Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-10-12 Minneapolis, Minnesota Minnesota (NAHL)
20   Uula Ruikka Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 2000-05-28 Oulu, Finland Providence (HEA)
21   Quinn Rudrud Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-08-18 Farmington, Minnesota Alaska (NCAA)
22   Brady Ziemer Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-05-24 Carver, Minnesota St. Cloud State (NCHC)
23   Simon Falk Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-01-20 Västerås, Sweden Alaska (NCAA)
24   Colton Friesen Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-12-09 Winnipeg, Manitoba Wisconsin–Superior (WIAC)
25   Brian Silver Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-11-06 Lake Bluff, Illinois Miami (NCHC)
26   Callum Gau Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-06-19 Camrose, Alberta Camrose (AJHL)
27   Chase Brand Graduate F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-02-25 Park Rapids, Minnesota St. Cloud State (NCHC)
28   Shay Donovan Graduate D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-05-26 Duluth, Minnesota Wisconsin (Big Ten)
29   Kayden Hargraves Freshman G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2002-02-25 Cheyenne, Wyoming Fairbanks (NAHL)
32   Josh Kotai Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2003-03-13 Abbotsford, British Columbia Battlefords (SJHL)
40   Zack Rose Senior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-07-03 Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador Bowling Green (CCHA)
72   Brett Meerman Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 2002-02-04 Blackfalds, Alberta Blackfalds (AJHL)
81   Owen Bohn Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2002-02-12 Morgan Hill, California Victoria (BCHL)
84   Jeff Hutchinson Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-05-02 St. Louis, Missouri New Mexico (NAHL)

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Renderings of Midco Arena Released to Public for First Time" (Press release). Augustana Vikings. February 21, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "Augustana officially announces men's Division I hockey program, new rink with groundbreaking ceremony". USCHO.com. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "Augustana University in South Dakota aiming to add Division I men's hockey, elevate athletics program from Division II to Division I". USCHO.com. June 16, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  4. ^ "Augustana officially announces Division I hockey program, to play in Midco Arena starting in 2023–24". Argus Leader. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Hockey, Lets Play (2024-01-31). "Augustana University's Midco Arena Celebrates Grand Opening". Lets Play Hockey. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  6. ^ "Garrett Raboin Named First Augustana Hockey Head Coach". Augustana University. April 18, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  7. ^ "CCHA Grants Membership to Augustana University" (Press release). Central Collegiate Hockey Association. May 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "2023–24 Men's Hockey Roster". Augustana Vikings. Retrieved July 20, 2023.