The New York Islanders have officially signed Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League alumnus Josh Kotai to a two-year entry-level contract.
A native of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Kotai made his mark in the SJHL with the Battlefords North Stars, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s top goaltenders. In 2022–23, he was named the SJHL’s SaskTel Goaltender of the Year, backstopping the North Stars to a Canterra Seeds Cup championship and a Centennial Cup silver medal. That season, he posted a 32‑4‑3 record with a league-best 2.39 goals-against average and .935 save percentage, adding a 12‑1 playoff record with a 1.72 GAA and .945 save percentage.
Kotai continued his development at Augustana University in NCAA Division I hockey, where over three seasons he made 78 appearances and consistently ranked among the top college goaltenders. In 2025–26, he led the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) with a .941 save percentage, recorded four shutouts (tying for the conference lead), and finished 14‑8‑4 with a 1.87 GAA. His standout season earned him a spot as one of the three finalists for the 2026 Mike Richter Award, honoring the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division I hockey.
Earlier this season, Kotai was named to the CCHA All-Star teams and ranked among the NCAA’s leaders in goals-against average and save percentage. He also represented NCAA hockey internationally as part of the U.S. Collegiate Selects roster at the prestigious Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.
