Augustana Hockey Firsts Presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard

In a year of firsts, Augustana hockey capped off its inaugural season presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard with a record of 12-18-4. The Vikings stunningly captured college hockey in its first season, between Augustana's first goal, first win, first sweep, first ranked win, two home openers, first away game, first shutout and even the first goalie point.

A group of 27 student-athletes joined together on a vision to become the first members of a historic season, in the heart of Sioux Falls and the first NCAA Division I program in Augustana University's history. Five fifth-years, 16 transfers and 12 first-years made up the inaugural roster of Viking hockey led by first-year head coach Garrett Raboin. 

Fifth-year forward Arnaud Vachon captained the Vikings and was joined by fifth-year defensemen Shay Donovan and junior Luke Mobley, who rounded out the leadership group as assistant captains. 

First Time on the Road

Augustana made its long-awaited appearance in Madison, Wisconsin, as the Vikings took on B1G opponent Wisconsin. After only a few short weeks of being a team, the Vikings took the seven-hour bus ride on a Thursday morning, excited to make Augustana's debut on the ice.

Oct. 7, 2023, Augustana took the ice, falling behind early in the first period by a score of 1-0. Senior transfer Zack Rose stood tall between the pipes, stopping 9 shots. Wisconsin followed up its early first-period goal and scored a 4-0 win.

The Vikings fell on night two by a score of 3-0 but Augustana officially made its way into Division I hockey.

The First Home Game

Augustana welcomed Bowling Green for a two-game series on Oct. 14-15, 2023, at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. 3,664 fans took part in a historic night for the school, program and city.

First Goal in Viking Hockey History

History was made on Oct. 14, 2023, with 5:09 left on the clock in the first period as Hunter Bischoff trailed behind Vachon to bury a rebound for the first goal in program history against Bowling Green. Fans erupted and the team celebrated the historic moment as Augustana officially had a goal on the scoreboard.

The First Win

Augustana collected its first win in program history in its first home game and third game ever as a team, taking down CCHA opponent Bowling Green. Backed by senior goaltender Zack Rose, who was facing his former team, Augustana powered its way to a 3-2 win in exciting fashion. 

Hunter Bischoff netted the opening goal to make the game 1-0. Augustana carried its one-goal lead into the third period before Ryan Naumovski scored a power-play goal to push the lead to two. Bowling Green answered back with two goals of its own to suck the energy out of the building but Vachon powered into the offensive zone and ripped in the game-winning goal to collect the Vikings' first win in program history.

Nothing Sweeter Than the First Sweep

Riding high from the Vikings' first win, Augustana continued its hunt for the first sweep in program history. Rose backstopped the pipes for the second night in a row against his former team. 

The Vikings roared into the night as it potted three first-period goals by Uula Ruikka, Bischoff and Luke Mobley. BGSU found momentum in the second period as it scored a lone goal but Brett Meerman scored his first-career goal to help the Vikings run away with its first sweep in program history.

First Ranked Win

Augustana made the journey to Tempe, Arizona, on Jan. 19, 2024, to face off against No. 16 Arizona State inside Mullet Arena. After falling 2-0 in the early moments of the first period, Will Howard and Chase Brand tied the game at 2-2 going into the second. 

ASU regained its lead in the opening two minutes of the second period but Vachon tied the game at 3-3 with one final frame to play. Augustana gained its first lead of the game as Brand scored his second of the night but ASU found the tying goal seven minutes later. 

With less than a minute to play, Ben Troumbly found Owen Bohn racing into the neutral zone and dished the puck to him. Bohn found himself on a breakaway and gave Augustana the 5-4 lead with thirty seconds to play. Rose came up big in the final moments to secure the Vikings' first win over a ranked opponent.

First Game in the Forever Home

Midco Arena finally opened its doors on Jan. 26 for Augustana’s weekend series against CCHA opponent Ferris State. In front of a sold-out crowd of 3,183 screaming fans, Augustana hockey officially had a home. The Vikings sold out both nights and introduced the City of Sioux Falls to Augustana’s forever home.

First Goal in Midco Arena

Leading goal-scorer Mobley forever etched himself into history as he turned on the burners and carried the puck into the offensive zone, beating a Ferris State defender before shelving the first-ever Vikings goal in Midco Arena. 

Mobley’s goal introduced the fans to an Augustana light show and electrified the building.

Rose Gets the First Goalie Point

Zack Rose tallied the first goalie point in program history on the Vikings' historic first goal in Midco Arena. Rose, dished the puck along the sidewall and found Colton Friesen who pushed the puck on Mobley for the historic moment in program history.

The First Shutout

Rose played between the pipes on Feb. 17, 2024 game against Lake Superior State, where the senior goaltender stopped 30 shots, including 16 in the second period to help Augustana collect the first shutout in program history.

Fourth row: Ethan Perrault, Simon Falk, Quinn Rudrud, Hayden Hennen, Jeff Hutchinson, Callum Gau, Will Howard, Hunter Bischoff

Third row: Ben Troumbly, Uula Ruikka, Brett Meerman, Evan McIntyre, Brady Ziemer, Colton Friesen, Brian Silver, Owen Bohn, Will Svenddal

Second row: Jeremy Hamerquist, Nick Rappuhn, Claire Meyer, Brad Amundson, Chad Demers, Garrett Raboin, Tayler Nelson, Brandon Wildung, Jacob Snuggerud, Jimi Nousiainen

Front row: Josh Kotai, Chase Brand, Luke Mobley, Arnaud Vachon, Zack Rose, Shay Donovan, Anthony Stark, Ryan Naumovski, Kayden Hargraves

A season of firsts, a season of memories and a season for the history books. Augustana traveled to nine different states and tallied over 17,000 miles in its first season.

It was 732 days in the making. We’re officially here.