CCHA Reporter's Corner: Augustana star Josh Kotai on goaltending journey and CCHA playoff run

On the 54th episode of The CCHA Reporter's Corner, co-hosts Jared Rubado and Trent Singer are joined by the 2025-26 CCHA Player of the Year in Augustana goalie Josh Kotai. This episode was recorded several days before learning of Kotai's prestigious league honor, but there was certainly no shortage of things to talk about when it comes to one of the best puck-stoppers in all of college hockey. In this hourlong episode, Rubado and Singer delve into Kotai's junior season and what has allowed him and his Viking teammates to string together a 22-10-4 campaign as they head into a crucial CCHA Mason Cup semifinal game versus St. Thomas on Saturday at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul. Augustana is coming off a first-round sweep of Bemidji State last weekend in the first round of the league playoffs. Kotai discussed the feeling of relief in defeating a Beavers squad that ended his season a year ago and how electric the playoff environment felt at Midco Arena. Hailing from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Kotai discussed his early playing days in Canada and what got him so fixated on wanting to become a goaltender. His junior career began amid the COVID-19 pandemic, making three different stops before he eventually landed with the Battlefords North Stars in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, where he went on to become the league's goalie of the year. Kotai then made his way to coach Garrett Raboin's fledgling college program in Sioux Falls. He talked about what made the Vikings the perfect fit and what those early college days were like before his breakout season in 2024-25. The CCHA Reporter's Corner is a weekly college hockey show that's brought to you by Rubado, Singer and producer Cordell Wright, featuring players and coaches from around the CCHA. To watch this show and to see clips and highlights from this episode, head on over to Midwest Sports Plus, the home of The CCHA Reporter's Corner. For the audio-only version, subscribe to The CCHA Reporter's Corner on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever podcasts are available. Follow Singer and Rubado on X — @trentsinger and @JaredRubadoBP — and throughout the week, check out their work at siouxfallslive.com and bemidjipioneer.com.