SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana hockey team heads to Minnesota this weekend to face the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth for the first time in program history as it kicks off the 2025-26 regular season. Friday's game is slated for 7:07 p.m. with Saturday's set to begin at 6:07 p.m. 

Fans can tune into the action on Midco Sports Network or on NCHC.TV. Live stats will be available at GoAugie.com/Live

Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play.

The Bulldogs
UMD opened its season in Fairbanks, Alaska, where it swept the Nanooks of Alaska Fairbanks by scores of 5-1 and 4-1. After the Bulldogs' successful weekend, they tripled up on NCHC Players of the Week honors with Max Plante earning Forward of the Week, Ty Hanson collecting Defenseman of the Week and Adam Gajan garnering Goaltender of the Week. 

Plante recorded four points in last weekend's affair with two goals and two assists. The sophomore forward was plus-four on the series and rides a four-game point streak that dates back to the NCHC First Round from the 2024-25 season. Hanson had a team-high plus-five rating with one goal and one assist. Gajan led the NCHC with a 1.00 goals against average and posted a .951 save percentage. 

The Vikings
Augustana opened up the 2025-26 season last weekend in exhibition play against St. Cloud State. In last Friday's affair, both teams agreed to two five-on-five periods and a third period that was broken into five-minute intervals that included two five-minute power plays, four-on-four and three-on-three play. The exhibition ended in a 2-2 tie that saw all three goalies see action and goals from Tyler Hennen and Hunter Bischoff. 

Augustana hockey was picked to finish tied for third in the coaches' poll and fifth in the media poll. The Vikings garnered 59 votes in the coaches' polls and tied with Michigan Tech, who picked up two first-place votes. St. Thomas leads the way with 72 points and three first-place votes. The defending MacNaughton Cup Champion, Minnesota State University, Mankato, was picked to finish second with 71 points and four first-place votes. Augustana was picked to finish in fifth place in the media polls behind Minnesota State, St. Thomas. Bowling Green and Michigan Tech. The Mavericks garnered first with 127 points with eight first-place votes, while the Tommies earned 115 points and two first-place votes, and the Falcons rounded out the top three with 108 points and four first-place votes.

Head coach Garrett Raboin has announced the addition of seven Vikings ahead of the 2025-26 season. The class newcomers ranged from three Canadians, a Belarusian, a Fin and two Americans, including the first player from South Dakota in program history. Augustana will roster 27 Vikings for the third season in program history.

In mid-September, junior forward Bischoff was named the third captain in program history and will be joined by assistants Hayden Hennen and Will Svenddal.

Two Vikings spent time this Summer at NHL Development Camps. Hennen headed West and took part in the Los Angeles Kings camp, while Josh Kotai spent time in the Steel City with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sophomore forward Nace Langus took part in the IIHF World Championships in May 2025 for Team Slovenia.

In June, Raboin was also named to the 2026 IIHF World Juniors Coaching Staff for Team USA for the third consecutive tournament. The bench boss helped lead Team USA to gold in 2024 and 2025. The 2026 tournament will be held in the Twin Cities, Dec. 26 - Jan. 5.