Josh Kotai was the SJHL's Top Goaltender a season ago, and is now again turning heads donning Augustana Vikings' threads in the NCAA. (Submitted photo/Dee Welsch)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars' alumni shines

Kotai proving fabulous freshman for NCAA’s Augustana

Dec 7, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Battlefords North Stars alumnus Josh Kotai is quickly establishing himself as an up-and-coming force in the NCAA Division I ranks, with a standout start to his freshman season with the Augustana University Vikings men’s hockey team.

Joining the Vikings’ newly established Division I program this season in Sioux Falls, SD., Kotai wasted no time making his mark across the border, with a 41-save performance against Wisconsin in his Vikings’ debut back in early October, to set the tone for what was to come.

Now through his first seven games (2-4-1), Kotai has posted a 3.07 goals against average and .913 save percentage, the latter of which ranks fourth amongst freshmen in the entire NCAA Division I ranks.

Kotai said his adjustment to the highest level of college competition has been helped by his experience picked up last year, backstopping the North Stars to a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship and a silver medal on the national stage at the Centennial Cup, where he was named Top Goaltender of the tournament.

“Looking back to last year, we had such a long playoff run, and going to the Centennial Cup was huge because that kind of gives you a taste of what every day here is like, so just drawing on that experience has helped me out here,” Kotai said. “The pace and shots are definitely faster, but it’s just about being ready to go.”

Provincial Politics

Sask. MLA's duties scaled back after Jagmeet Singh comments

20h ago

VAPING

Youth vaping surges in Saskatchewan as province lags on tabacco reform

23h ago

Jim Neilson Invitational Tournament

'Almost forgotten and has now been reclaimed': Tournament honouring Jim Neilson gets underway this weekend

Apr 11, 2025

Kotai, pictured here in action against the Colorado College Tigers. Kotai would stop 32/35 Tigers’ shots for a .936 save percentage in the 4-3 win earlier this season. (Submitted photo/Dee Welsch)

Being ready to go is exactly how one could describe Kotai’s recent performance last weekend, which saw the Abbotsford, BC., product stop 68 of 73 shots in back-to-back starts against Northern Michigan to lead the Vikings to a 2-2 tie Friday night, and 5-3 win Saturday.

His play also saw Kotai named to the school’s Principal Financial Athletes of the Week for already a second time this season (having also received the honour the week of Oct. 15), a rare feat for a freshman.

Ever just as poised off the ice as on it, Kotai was gracious when speaking about the accomplishment while also staying focused on what’s led to his early-season success.

“Having that recognition is cool and it’s a nice pat on the back for the hard work through the summer and the start of this first half so it’s a nice feeling, but it doesn’t change what happens today; you still go about your business the same way,” Kotai said.

“Being ready to go from the start and just being sharp all week in practice really gives you the confidence to go into those games knowing you’re going to be there for your team, your team’s got confidence in you, and they’re going to help you out as much as they can too,” Kotai said. “[…] You just stop one shot and then the next one, and the next one, and it adds up quickly.”

Kotai and his Vikings’ teammates are currently in the midst of a nearly four-week break for the Christmas holidays and will return to action at the end of the month for a back-to-back at the University of Notre Dame, Dec. 30th and 31st.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1