Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson likes what he’s seen in Augustine, who will compete Michal Postava and: Carter Gaylander this season.
“(Augustin) wants to know all the details of the game,” Watson said. “He’s very competitive. He doesn’t like to score goals. He will compete until the game is over, the whistles blow, and the next representative arrives. He got out extra, he got out before. He was with one of our practice groups and hit a lot of shots and didn’t complain once. The players really appreciate that, but his work ethic isn’t great.
“Trey and Postava will struggle to make a great first impression. I can’t wait to see this goalie battle and see where everyone lands. With the three we will definitely have in GR, everyone gives us a chance to win every night.”
Augustine knows how to take advantage of his opportunities. He did just that in his three seasons at Michigan State from 2023-26, as he was named the Big Ten’s top goaltender the last two. He went 24-9-1 with a 2.11 GAA, .929 save percentage and three shutouts in 34 games last season and was 19-7-4 with a 2.08 GAA, .924 save percentage and three shutouts in 30 games in 2024-25.
“I always give him a lot of credit,” Michigan State coach Adam Nightingale said. “When he committed to us, we took over a program that had lost 16 straight games. He wanted to make an impact and change the program, and he certainly did.”
Michigan State was the Big Ten regular season champion in 2024, 2025 and 2026, the conference tournament champion in 2024 and 2025, and has qualified for the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons after not doing so since 2012.
“I think his lateral mobility is really good, but his hockey brain is elite,” Nightingale said of Augustine. “It’s really important for a goalkeeper. You’ve got to compete, you’ve got to be able to skate and move and all that, but his ability to read plays (is great).
“Now he has to do it at a higher level. The game is a little bit faster, the guys are a little bit older.”
Augustine comes with a lot of expectations, and he’s ready to live up to them.
“I’m beyond excited,” she said. “Obviously this is my first pro season and I couldn’t be happier to be with the organization. I’m really looking forward to getting there, putting in the work and then hopefully making the NHL.”
