The NY Islanders have signed NCAA free agent goaltender Josh Kotai to an ELC

After inking Kashawn Aitcheson to his three-year ELC last week, Mathieu Darche and the NY Islanders have continued adding players to the organization, signing Augustana University goaltender Josh Kotai to an ELC.

Islanders sign goaltender Josh Kotai

Kotai, 23, played three seasons for Augustana, with the 2025-26 being the best of his career. He’d finish the season with a 1.99 GAA, .938 SV%, and five shutouts. His SV% is among the best in the history of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, catapulting him to being named CCHA Goaltender of the Year and Player of the Year. Kotai is also being nominated for the Mike Richter Award for the best goaltender in the nation alongside Michael Hrabel (UTA) and Trey Augustine (DET).

Kotai, an Abbotsford, BC, native, stands 6’1” - and would be considered undersized for the modern goaltender. Despite being slightly undersized, Kotai finished his collegiate career with outstanding numbers and even served as the emergency backup goalie for the Abbotsford Canucks, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.

Before landing at Augustana, Kotai bounced around several junior leagues throughout the Northeastern United States and the plains of Canada. 

Now, ready to turn pro, Kotai will find himself with the Islanders organization either in the ECHL in Worcester, or joining the AHL franchise in Hamilton for 2026-27 for the city’s inaugural season after leaving Bridgeport. 

Alongside David Rittich becoming a free agent at the end of the season, Henrik Tikkanen, Marcus Hogberg, and Tristan Lennox are all in the final year of their contracts. Where Kotai lands will ultimately depend on who the Islanders decide to re-sign or who they bring into the organization