The NCHC has announced that its Goaltender of the Month is Colorado College sophomore Kaidan Mbereko.

Mbereko was rock-solid in net for the second straight month, backstopping CC to a 6-2-0 record in January, with the six wins the most of any NCHC goalie. He also led the NCHC with 234 saves in January, 36 more than any other goalie, while ranking second with a .921 save percentage during the month. Mbereko posted a 2.52 goals-against average, which was fourth in the NCHC this month, while he finished the month on a five-game winning streak, tying his career long.

The Aspen native did not allow more than two goals in any of his final five games in January and gave up only 10 goals over his last six games of the month. He posted 30-plus saves in half of his January starts, including 38 in a 2-1 overtime win at then-No. 12 Western Michigan last Saturday. Mbereko also stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 overtime win at Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 13 and made 33 saves in a 6-4 win at then-No. 9 Minnesota on Jan. 7. He limited Miami to only one goal on Jan. 19 and again surrendered only one goal each game in the overtime sweep at Western Michigan to close the month.

Mbereko was twice named NCHC Goaltender of the Week in January. He first earned it after combining for 67 saves in a split at UMD on Jan. 12-13, and won it again following the WMU series, when he totaled 61 saves with two goals allowed.

Mbereko now leads the NCHC with a .915 save percentage on the season, while ranking fourth in the conference with a 2.52 GAA. He is 15-8-1 in net this year, with the 15 wins tied for tops in the NCHC.

During his youth hockey days, Mbereko played for the Aspen Leafs and Rocky Mountain Snow Kings.

Photo/Ashley Huss/Western Michigan Athletics

(February 1, 2024)