North Stars’ alum Kotai in running for NCAA DI top goaltender

(Release courtesy CJHL)

TORONTO – The Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) has announced a watch list of 35 goaltenders who will vie for the Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top netminder in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.

Among that group are six Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) alumni.

They include:

GOALTENDER	NCAA SCHOOL	CJHL TEAM(S)	LEAGUE
Ben Charette	Harvard	Whitecourt Wolverines	AJHL
Josh Kotai	Augustana	Battlefords North Stars	SJHL
Ty Outen	Long Island	Grand Falls Rapids	MHL
Owen Say	Notre Dame	Powassan Voodoos	NOJHL
Liam Souliere	Minnesota	Brockville Braves Nepean Raiders	CCHL
Jared Whale	New Hampshire	Olds Grizzlys	AJHL

*-minimum five (5) CJHL games played

A committee of voters — made up of a cross section of coaches, administrators, scouts and media — will pare this list down to approximately a dozen semifinalists, within the next three weeks and then ultimately choose a winner from three finalists, which will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four.

Goaltenders qualified by meeting a minimum goals-against average of 2.30 and save percentage of .920.

Other names may be added for consideration before the first formal vote.

Among the CJHL alumni who were past winners of this award include:

2023: Devon Levi, Northeastern (Carleton Place Canadians/CCHL)
2022: Devon Levi, Northeastern (Carleton Place Canadians/CCHL)
2021: Jack LaFontaine, Minnesota (Georgetown Raiders/OJHL)
2017: Tanner Jaillet, Denver (Fort McMurray Oil Barons/AJHL)

Photo credits:

Say: Chris Dawson
Souliere: icelevel.com
Kotai: Martin Martinson/BattlefordsNOW
Charette: Dave Watling Photography
Whale: Dave Watling Photography
Outen: themhl.ca