Men's Ice Hockey

Undrafted Series: Josh Kotai

Each week leading up to the 2026-27 season, "The CCHA Show" will interview an undrafted player from each of the eight conference programs and dive into what has made them successful after leaving campus. No matter where their career path has taken them, each has carved out an opportunity for themselves at the next level. 

Undrafted Series Episodes
Josh Kotai (Augustana)
Dominik Shine (Northern Michigan)

Josh Kotai signed an entry-level contract with the New York Islanders following his junior season at Augustana University on March 24, 2026. He appeared in one game for the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL), stopping 10-of-11 shots. This summer, he took part in the Islanders' Development Camp and will join the full squad for training camp in September. 

Named CCHA Goaltender and Player of the Year in 2025-26, Kotai (Abbotsford, B.C.) Kotai went 20-11-4 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage with five total shutouts and three assists offensively. He led the nation in total saves (1056), shutouts and save percentage, while ranking fourth in goal-against average, fifth in wins and sixth in minutes played (2111:36). A five-time CCHA Goaltender of the Week, he was named Goaltender of the Month twice.

Going 14-8-4 while starting all 26 conference games for the Vikings during the 2025-26 conference season, Kotai had a 1.87 goals-against average and a league-best .941 save percentage. Tied for the conference lead with four shutouts, he stopped a league-high 786 shots across 1576:04 minutes, chipping in with one assist offensively. Recording 14 games of 30 or more saves, he stopped 40+ in three contests. His season was highlighted posting three straight shutouts from January 9-16. He ranks third among all CCHA netminders in single-season save percentage since the league was reconsituted in 2021-22, while his goals-against average is fourth.

In 79 career games at Augustana, he went 39-30-9 with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage, which ranks 10th among all NCAA netminders over the last 10 years. He earned All-CCHA First Team and Second Team honors in his three seasons and was a three-time HCA National Goaltender of the Month. A two-time Richter Award Finalist, he was a Finalist for CCHA Goaltender of the Year in 2024-25 before taking home the honor this year.

The 2026-27 season opens on October 2 and 3 with all eight CCHA teams in action. Conference play gets underway on October 23 and 24, when Lake Superior State and Ferris State host weekend series against Bowling Green and Michigan Tech, respectively.