SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Head coach Garrett Raboin has announced the addition of seven Vikings ahead of the 2025-26 season. Augustana will roster 27 Vikings for the third season in program history. 

The incoming class consists of three defensemen, three forwards and a goalie. The class consists of three Canadians, a Belarusian, a Fin and two Americans, including the first player from South Dakota in program history. 

Leo Bulgakov | Freshman | 5-9 | Minsk, Belarus | Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) | #92

Before Augustana 

• Spent two seasons with the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL
• Played in 113 games and recorded 49 goals and 47 assists for 96 points
• Suited up for the Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk in 2022-23 and recorded 20 points in 46 games
• Played on the international stage for Belarus U18 where he collected eight points in seven games

Personal

• He was born on November 12, 2004, to Olya and Denis Bulgakov
• He has one brother, Kirill
• His hobbies include billiards and chess
• Majoring in business administration

Cole Burtch | Junior | 5'10 | Markham, Ontario | Ferris State (NCAA) | #93

Before Augustana 

• Spent the 2024-25 season with Ferris State University, where he collected 26 points in 35 games
• Led the Bulldogs in assists and points
• Transferred to Ferris State after he spent two seasons at Western Michigan
• Played two seasons in the USHL between the Youngstown Phantoms and Cedar Rapids Roughriders, where he collected 72 points.
• Suited up in 85 games in the OJHL with the Toronto Patriots

Personal

• He was born on January 11, 2001, to Teresa and Brian Burtch
• Has has two siblings, Lindsay and Cody.
• His hobbies include golf, tennis and other outdoor sports
• Majoring in sports management  

Max Chakrabarti | Freshman | 6'3 | White Rock, British Columbia | Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) | #4

Before Augustana 

• Spent the 2024-25 season with the Weyburn Red Wings in the SJHL
• Played in 56 games with the Red Wings and recorded 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points
• Played in 81 games for the Creston Valley Thunder Cats in the KIJHL and tallied 75 points.

Personal

• He was born on June 21, 2005, to Robin and Corinne Chakrabarti
• He has two siblings, Brydon and Luke
• His hobbies include golf and football
• Plans to major in business administration and minor in history

Landon Fandel | Freshman | 5'10" | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Tri-City Storm (USHL) | #2

Before Augustana 

• Spent the 2024-25 season with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL
• Played in 50 games and totaled five goals and four assists for nine points
• Spent the previous two seasons with the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL
• In two seasons, Fandel scored 15 goals and tallied 18 assists in 108 games

Personal

• He was born on May 24, 2005, to John and Marta Fandel
• First player from Sioux Falls to play at Augustana
• He has two siblings, Dylan and Kaiden
• His hobbies include golf, hanging out with the family and going to the lake
• Plans to major in business administration

Kolby Hay | Freshman | 6'5 | Monte Creek, British Columbia | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) | #30

Before Augustana 

• Played four seasons in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings
• Suited up in 124 games with the Oil Kings with a career record of 44-58-5
• Won a WHL Championship in the 2021-22 season
• Was named to the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft

Personal

• He was born on May 14, 2004, to Bryan and Katie Hay
• He has a sister, Lexi
• His hobbies include golf, Formula 1 and Legos
• He plans to major in finance and minor in entrepreneurship

Jacob Jastrzebski | Freshman | 6'0" | Chicago, Ill. | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) | #20

Before Augustana 

• Played parts of three seasons in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers
• Suited up in 67 games over that time, tallying 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. 
• Played 59 games for the Wisconsin Windigo of the NAHL in 2023-24.
• Totaled 17 goals and 39 assists for 56 points for the Windigo

Personal

• He was born on July 27, 2005, to Iwona Jastrzebska and Tom Jastrzebski
• He has three siblings, Kaja, Karol and Nathan
• His hobbies include hockey and golf
• Majoring in business administration

Samo Meritähti | Sophomore | 6'3" | Seinäjoki, Finland | Providence College (NCAA) | #6

Before Augustana 

• Spent the 2024-25 season with Providence College (NCAA) 
• Did not appear in a game
• Split the first half of the 2023-24 season between Tri-City and Omaha (USHL)
• Appeared in 19 games, totaling one goal and six assists
• Played in 57 games with Tri-City in 2022-23 where he notched three goals, four assists and 124 penalty minutes
• Appeared in 49 games with Sport in the U20 SM-sarja (Finland) from 2020-22, registering eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points.

Personal

• He was born on March 6, 2003, to Hanna-Leena Hiltunen and Samuli Meritähti
• Has has two siblings, Sani and Samuel.
• His hobbies include tennis, golf and padel
• Plans to earn a degree in sport management