Aspen native, Colorado College goalie Mbereko chosen NCHC Rookie of the Month
The NCHC has announced that Colorado College freshman goaltender Kaidan Mbereko is the NCHC Rookie of the Month.
Mbereko completed his freshman campaign strong, backstopping Colorado College to a playoff upset on the road and the Frozen Faceoff championship game. He posted a 3-1-0 record in five starts in March, including a career-best three-game winning streak, while leading the NCHC with both a .942 save percentage and a 1.57 GAA in the month. Mbereko compiled 114 saves in March with one shutout.
The Aspen native started his postseason run with 25 saves in a 3-1 win at No. 7 Western Michigan to open the NCHC quarterfinals on March 10. A night later, he made 28 saves in a 3-2 overtime win at WMU to give CC its first road playoff sweep in program history. Mbereko then finished his season with back-to-back 23-save outings at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff. In the semifinals on March 17, he blanked rival and No. 3 Denver for CC’s first win over DU in 12 tries, a 1 -0 victory. In the championship game a night later against No. 7 St. Cloud State, the Tigers run came to an end with a 3-0 defeat.
Mbereko finished his freshman season with a 9-16-2 record in 30 games, while leading the NCHC and ranking fifth nationally with a .925 save percentage. He posted a 2.30 GAA on the year, while his four shutouts this season tied for the NCHC lead. Mbereko was also named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team and Second-Team All-NCHC this season.
During his youth hockey days in Colorado, Mbereko played for the Aspen Leafs and Rocky Mountain Snow Kings.
Photo/Casey B. Gibson
(April 3, 2023)