REGINA, SK – Battlefords North Stars’ alum Josh Kotai has been named Central Collegiate Hockey Association (NCAA Div I) Player of the Year, on top of his recently announced awards as the CCHA Goaltender of the Year and First Team All-CCHA selection.
Kotai, 22, was the SJHL SaskTel Goaltender of the Year in 2022-23, when he backstopped the Stars to the SJHL championship and the National silver medal.
He posted a 32-4-3 record and league bests in goals-against average (2.39) and save percentage (.935) over that ’22-’23 regular campaign. The Abbotsford, BC native added a 12-1-0 record, a 1.72 GAA and a .945 save percentage in 13 post-season contests en route to helping Battlefords earn the title.
The following release is courtesy the University of Augustana.
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Augustana goaltender Josh Kotai has been named the CCHA Player of the Year, the league announced Friday morning. The honor comes after Kotai was previously recognized earlier this week as the CCHA Goaltender of the Year and a First Team All-CCHA selection, completing a historic awards sweep for the Viking netminder.
Kotai becomes the first player in program history to earn CCHA Player of the Year honors, capping a dominant season between the pipes for the Vikings.
The Junior goaltender has anchored Augustana’s success throughout the 2025-26 season, posting a 20-10-4 record while starting 34 games. Kotai carries a 1.99 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, stopping 1,030 shots on the year while recording five shutouts.
Kotai’s numbers rank among the best in the conference and nationally, helping lead Augustana to one of the top defensive marks in the CCHA. The Vikings have allowed just 72 goals in 36 games, an average of 2.00 goals per game this season.
Throughout the season, Kotai delivered several standout performances, including multiple shutouts and numerous games with 30 or more saves. His play was instrumental in Augustana’s strong conference showing, where the Vikings posted a 14-8-4 CCHA record and its first-ever 20-win season.
