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<\/p>\nKotai won various awards in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), taking home the CCHA Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year, and First Team All Star honours. <\/p>\n
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Although Kotai had a great year with a 20-11-4 record, a .938 SV% and 1.99 GAA in 35 games played, he gave a lot of credit to his Augustana teammates for the accolades.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the team in front of me helping me out every night,\u201d said Kotai. \u201cFor us going into the season, we had some big expectations for ourselves. We did pretty well last year, and we wanted to continue to build upon that as a program and for myself individually too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for Augustana, they fell 2-1 to the St. Thomas Tommies in the Mason Cup semifinals this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kotai said he had a few NHL teams show some interest, but the Islanders ended up as the best fit for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019d always been in good communication. When it came to making a decision, I think that played a huge part too, because I really wanted to go somewhere where I\u2019ll have an opportunity, but they also really (wanted) me, so I really felt that from their communication this year,\u201d said Kotai. \u201cI was super excited to join them. So, it\u2019s been quite the busy week here, packing up, travelling, but it\u2019s been lots of fun so far.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The newest member of the Isles organization is currently with the Bridgepoint Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL) but has gotten the opportunity to visit with the big club since his signing. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI went down to Long Island one of my first days here and got to see a game and win against the Dallas Stars. That was a cool experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kotai attended the Pittsburgh Penguins development camp in July 2025, which helped him get a feel of the work ethic around the NHL.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to see how the NHL teams run it, how they train and prepare and practice, it was really cool to see,\u201d he said. \u201cI took a lot of good lessons from some amazing coaches there, and I worked on it throughout the summer. And I thought that helped boost me a lot to improve my game.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
The Bridgeport Islanders have seven games left in the regular season. Sitting in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, they remain in the hunt for the AHL playoffs.<\/p>\n
If Kotai makes his way to the NHL level and plays in a game for the Islanders, he would become the sixth player in North Stars history to reach the NHL, joining Blair Atcheynum, Drew Bagnall, Mick Vokuta, Jaroslav Osbut, and Colby Cave. Kotai would also be the first North Stars goaltender to reach the NHL level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kotai\u2019s full interview will be aired during the second intermission of Game 1 of the second round of the SJHL playoffs between the North Stars and Yorkton Terriers on CJNB\/CJNS on Friday night. <\/p>\n
\u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n