For young hockey players in South Dakota, the path to playing at the highest levels is becoming more real than ever.
A recent feature by USCHO highlighted the growth of hockey in South Dakota and the opportunities now available to players who want to continue their development beyond youth hockey. At the center of that story is Sioux Falls native and Augustana defenseman Landon Fandel, whose journey includes an important stop with Sioux Falls Power AAA.
Fandel’s path represents what player development in South Dakota can look like when local players have the opportunity to continue challenging themselves at every level.
A Local Beginning
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, Fandel began his hockey journey with the Sioux Falls Flyers before advancing to the Sioux Falls Power AAA program.
From there, he continued his development in junior hockey, playing for the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL and later the Tri-City Storm of the USHL.
Those experiences ultimately brought him back home to Sioux Falls, where he joined Augustana University’s Division I hockey program.
USCHO noted that Fandel’s journey illustrates the growing opportunities for South Dakota players to develop locally before advancing to junior and college hockey.
Making History at Augustana
Fandel made South Dakota hockey history during Augustana’s inaugural Division I era.
On December 7, 2025, he scored against Bemidji State at Midco Arena, becoming the first South Dakota-born player to score a goal for Augustana’s Division I hockey program.
For a player who grew up in Sioux Falls, the moment carried significance beyond the goal itself. Fandel was able to return to his hometown and compete at the Division I level in front of the same community where his hockey journey began.
Augustana head coach Garret Raboin also pointed to Fandel’s progression through local hockey and junior hockey as an example of the steps needed to prepare a player for college hockey.
A Growing Hockey Community in South Dakota
Fandel’s story is part of a larger shift taking place across South Dakota.
According to figures cited by USCHO from USA Hockey, South Dakota had 3,034 registered hockey players during the 2024–25 season, including 2,855 players under the age of 18. The state continues to build its hockey community, with youth participation and opportunities at the junior and collegiate levels helping create a stronger development pathway.
Sioux Falls has become an important part of that growth, with youth hockey, the Sioux Falls Stampede, Sioux Falls Power AAA, and now Augustana Division I hockey providing opportunities for players at different stages of their development.
For aspiring players, that means the journey does not have to end when youth hockey does.
Building the Next Generation
The development of South Dakota hockey is about more than individual achievements. It is about creating a pathway for the next generation of players.
Players like Fandel demonstrate what is possible when young athletes continue to develop, embrace new challenges, and take the necessary steps toward higher levels of hockey.
His journey—from the Sioux Falls Flyers, through Sioux Falls Power AAA and junior hockey, to Division I hockey at Augustana—provides a powerful example for the young players currently working toward their own goals.
And as hockey continues to grow throughout South Dakota, more local players will have the opportunity to follow that same path.
The journey starts at home. The next step is up to the player.
This article was inspired by and based on reporting from USCHO’s February 13, 2026 feature, “Augustana helping home-grown hockey thrive in South Dakota,” by Jack Hittinger.
Reference: https://wp-admin.uscho.com/2026/02/13/augustana-helping-home-grown-hockey-thrive-in-south-dakota/
