Mustangs’ Kotai understands last name lore in SJHL, Melfort

Both Reilley and Josh played just a single year in the SJHL, but made significant impacts with their respective clubs.

Josh was the first to arrive, suiting up for the Battlefords North Stars in net during the 2022/23 campaign. There, he won the league’s goaltender of the year award and led the Stars to an SJHL championship and a national silver medal.

As for Reilley, his path was eerily similar. He played for Melfort in the 2024/25 season and led the entire league in scoring. As a forward, Reilley also became an SJHL champion, with the Mustangs, and earned a Centennial Cup runner-up finish.

“Josh told me he had to work his hardest just to get the success he had. So, for me, it’s about putting in the work every day and having fun with the guys; that’s what’s really important… Reilley, meanwhile, loved the town of Melfort so much; his billets were amazing, and the coaching staff and everyone else made him feel at home. The culture that’s been created here is the best part; I’ve seen it, I love it, and I’m excited for the rest of the season,” Nick added.

“I’ve got to continue to carry the torch because they’ve both shown what it means to be a Kotai; it’s hard work, it’s dedication, and it’s respect. Those are the three things that I want to carry on. If there’s anything I leave here with, it’s that I carried that torch, and I continued the legacy.”

Nick came into the year with a bit of prior experience, having played six games this past season with the Humboldt Broncos.

Currently, he’s just one game into his tenure with the Blue and Green, hoping to soon collect his first win with the Stangs.

“Obviously, they’re both big role models. I can see them working their way up through the ranks just from hard work. They weren’t always picked first for everything, but all I’ve seen from them is the hard work, and that’s just been an inspiration. There’s that aspect, and I’m competitive as hell too, so I want to beat them and I want to be better than them, and that’s where my own path comes into play,” concluded Nick.

“Josh had an incredible season in his 19-year-old year, and that’s where I’m at right now, so there’s going to be a bit of a direct comparison. I’m not here to be Josh, though; I’m here to be me, and I’m here to do even better. We’re really competitive together in the offseason; in the summer, we train together and all that, so that’s really where I think we have the most fun with each other.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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by Ben Tompkins

Mustangs’ Kotai understands last name lore in SJHL, Melfort

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