The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) has announced its Players of the Month for October and four student-athletes from three different programs have been recognized. Leo Bulgakov (Augustana) was the Forward of the Month, while Landon Fandel (Augustana) collected the Defenseman of the Month award. Owen Bartoszkiewicz (Michigan Tech) was the Goaltender of the Month and Cooper Foster (Lake Superior State) earned Rookie of the Month honors.
Follow the CCHA: Bluesky | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | YouTube
CCHA Forward of the Month: Leo Bulgakov, So., Augustana (Minsk, Belarus)
Bulgakov led all conference skaters in goals (8), points (11), shots (30), plus-minus (+11) and shooting percentage (26.7%) in October, leading eighth-ranked Augustana to an unbeaten 7-0-1 record, including 2-0-0 in CCHA play. He netted two power-play goals and one game-winner, while averaging 15:14 minutes per game across eight appearances. He carries a five-game goal-scoring streak into November - the longest active streak in the country and second-longest so far this season. His month was highlighted by notching a career-high four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in a 12-0 Vikings victory over Northern Michigan on October 30.
CCHA Defenseman of the Month: Landon Fandel, So., Augustana (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Fandel scored three goals and assisted on four more to lead all CCHA blueliners with seven points in October. Posting a +6 rating, he helped the eighth-ranked Vikings to a 7-0-1 overall record, including a 2-0-0 mark in conference play. Totaling 12 shots on goal and eight blocks defensively, he averaged 17:56 minutes per contest and was assessed just one minor penalty for two minutes. Augie's 1.59 team goals-against average ranked fifth in the nation in the opening month of the season.
CCHA Goaltender of the Month: Owen Bartoszkiewicz, Sr., Michigan Tech (Northville, Mich.)
Bartoszkiewicz went 6-2-0 with a 1.76 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage with one shutout in October for 14th-ranked Michigan Tech. He led conference netminders in shutouts (1) and total saves (228), while finishing second in goals-against average and save percentage. He allowed two or fewer goals in all but one start, and had at least 29 saves in 6-of-8 appearances for the Huskies. His month was highlighted by stopping all 30 shots he faced in a 3-0 shutout of Alaska on October 16.
CCHA Rookie of the Month: Cooper Foster, Fr., Lake Superior State (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.)
Foster led conference rookies in assists (7), points (9), face-off wins (82) and time on ice (21:04) in October, helping Lake Superior State to a 2-4-2 mark through eight games. Winning 55.0% of his draws, his 21:04 average ice time was tops in the nation among first-year forwards. He notched at least one point in six of the Lakers eight contests, including a season-high three points on three assists in a 4-3 victory at Lindenwood on October 9.
For more information, contact:
Perry Laskaris
Director of Strategic Communications & Brand Advancement
Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA)
Laskaris@ccha.com
(651) 308-1065
2026-27 CCHA Monthly Awards
Forward:
October, 2026: Leo Bulgakov (AU)
Defenseman:
October, 2026: Landon Fandel (AU)
Goaltender:
October, 2026: Owen Bartoszkiewicz (MTU)
Rookie:
October, 2026: Cooper Foster (LSSU)