Augustana Hockey Opened Its Fourth Season

The Vikings enter the 2026-27 season with high expectations after returning the majority of their offensive production.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Hockey

Augustana Hockey Opened Its Fourth Season

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Augustana University has officially launched its fourth season of Division I college hockey in Sioux Falls. The Vikings look to build on a successful 2025-26 campaign that saw the team record 22 wins, 11 losses, and 4 ties.

Why it matters

The team aims to capture a championship after narrowly missing the mark last season. Returning players are banking on veteran leadership and consistency to navigate the competitive collegiate schedule.

The roster maintains an average age of 22.6 years and returns 86% of its points from the previous year. Last season, the team averaged 2.0 goals allowed per game, while defenseman Hayden Hennen averaged 25 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time.

The players

Augustana University

This is a private university located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that competes at the NCAA Division I level.

Garrett Raboin

He has served as the head coach for the Augustana University hockey team since the spring of 2022.

Hayden Hennen

He is a defenseman for the Augustana Vikings known for logging heavy minutes on the ice.

Josh Kotai

He is a former Augustana goaltender who signed an entry-level contract with the New York Islanders in 2026.

The details

The squad relies on a core group of nine seniors to provide stability and experience throughout the year. Head coach Garrett Raboin continues to emphasize a disciplined approach to preparation to maintain the team's defensive and offensive consistency.

Garrett Raboin began serving as head coach in the spring of 2022.
Augustana finished the 2025-26 season with a 22-11-4 record.
Goaltender Josh Kotai signed an entry-level contract in late March 2026.
The 2026-27 college hockey season officially began in October 2026.

Season Trajectory

This season serves as a critical test for the program's ability to maintain its upward momentum following the precedent set by the 2025-26 Augustana University hockey season. The high retention of scoring talent positions the Vikings to challenge for conference standing improvements.

The return of 86% of the team's points suggests a high level of offensive continuity that could impact betting lines and power rankings throughout the season. Defensively, the program's ability to replicate its 2.0 goals allowed average will be a primary indicator of their playoff potential.

The takeaway

The high percentage of returning players offers Augustana a significant advantage in chemistry and tactical execution early in the year. Fans should watch how the veteran senior class handles the pressure of early-season non-conference matchups.