Former North Stars goaltender Josh Kotai will be representing Augustana University with the U.S. Collegiate Selects team at the Spengler Cup. Here, Kotai is in net for the North Stars during a game at the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie, Man. (Erica Perreaux/Hockey Canada)

By Ryan Lambert

International Spotlight

Former North Stars goaltender to play at Spengler Cup

Nov 18, 2025 | 3:00 PM

Former Battlefords North Stars goalie and 2022-23 SJHL goaltender of the year Josh Kotai will be heading to Davos, Switzerland this December, representing the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup.

The Spengler Cup is an annual international hockey tournament which includes a team from Canada, the U.S. Collegiate Selects made up of U.S. college hockey players, as well as multiple professional teams from Switzerland, Czechia, and Finland.

Kotai, 22, has been playing with the Augustana University Vikings since the 2023-24 season, where this year, he’s posted a .935 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average with one shutout. He holds a record of 6-4-1 (W-L-OTL) as the team’s starting goaltender.

“We’re a brand-new program and just trying to build a name for ourselves and a name for myself as well. I think we’re on the up and up and just working our way up in the college rankings.”

Josh Kotai playing for Augustana University. (Peyton Bartsch/Augustana University)

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It means a lot to Kotai to be able to play with the U.S. and is excited for the upcoming tournament.

“It’s a great honour to be able to go compete as a part of a team for the U.S. Collegiate Selects and getting to go to Europe as well and not only represent college hockey, but [the] U.S. and Canada as well for me. It’s an incredible honour and I can’t be thankful enough,” said Kotai.

“A pretty cool thing is getting to play against some of the European pros from Canada, but I think most of all is just getting to prove myself…I think just the opportunity is the biggest excitement for me.”

In his one season with the North Stars, Kotai won the SJHL Goaltender of the Year as well as the SJHL championship. He talked about the team’s competitiveness as well as how close they were in the locker room, which he has been able to bring to the college level.

“As you’re building a team and a program too, from its first year now to its third, you begin to make those connections and try to bring some of those aspects with you to be able to have success,” said Kotai. “It’s the same from juniors to college to the pros.”

The former Battlefords netminder was also sure to give North Stars fans his gratitude for his time there, which has helped lead him to where he is.

“I know there are a lot of people that are rooting for me, praying for me. I just want to say thank you for all of that throughout the years; it means a lot to me. So, thank you.”

Kotai and the U.S. Collegiate Selects will play against Team Canada in their first game of the Spengler Cup on Dec. 26, 2025.

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ryan.lambert@pattisonmedia.com