SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana men's hockey has been picked to finish sixth in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's (CCHA) preseason polls, as voted on by the league's coaches and announced by the CCHA Thursday. AU was also picked to finish seventh in the media poll. This is the first preseason poll in Augustana hockey history.

The Augustana hockey program became full members for the 2024-25 season following a vote from the CCHA Board of Directors in mid-July. This change brought the CCHA to nine teams a year early as the Vikings were slated to join as full members in the 2025-26 season. 

Augustana finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 12-18-4 and finished CCHA play with 1.63 points per game and would have finished tied for third place in the CCHA.

Head coach Garrett Raboin announced the addition of nine Vikings ahead of the 2024-25 season for his second-ever recruiting class. Augustana will roster 27 Vikings for the second season in program history. The incoming class consists of three defensemen, five forwards and one goalie. Eight of the incoming Vikings hail from Minnesota and will see one come across the pond from Slovenia. 

Augustana will begin the 2024-25 season with an exhibition matchup against North Dakota on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Vikings will open the regular season at Midco Arena the following weekend against Long Island. The CCHA slate begins November 2-3 in St. Paul, Minnesota, against St. Thomas. 

Season tickets and single-game tickets for the entire Augustana hockey season, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at GoAugie.com/Tickets.

2024-25 CCHA Preseason Coaches' Poll:
St. Thomas - 74 (3 first-place votes)
Bemidji State - 69 (3 first-place votes)
Michigan Tech - 69 (2 first-place votes)
Minnesota State - 59 (1 first-place vote)
Bowling Green - 50
Lake Superior State - 46
Augustana - 46
Ferris State - 28
Northern Michigan - 26

2024-24 CCHA Preseason Media Poll: 
Bemidji State - 107 (5 first-place votes)
St. Thomas - 107 (4 first-place votes)
Minnesota State - 94 (2 first-place votes)
Michigan Tech - 92 (1 first-place vote)
Bowling Green - 63
Lake Superior State - 60
Augustana - 52
Northern Michigan - 40
Ferris State - 33