The NCHC has announced that Colorado College freshman Kaidan Mbereko is the NCHC Goaltender of the Week.

Mbereko had the best weekend of his young, CC career, backstopping the Tigers to a split with then-No. 19 Minnesota Duluth.

On Friday, Mbereko made a career-high 34 saves to record his first collegiate shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Bulldogs. Ten of his 34 saves came short-handed to help kill all five UMD power plays Friday. Mbereko earned CC’s first shutout by a freshman since Alex Leclerc on Dec. 28, 2016. A night later, the Aspen native made 32 more saves, including 27 over the final 40 minutes, tying the second-highest save total of his career in a 3-1 defeat, with UMD’s final goal an empty-netter.

Mbereko allowed only one even-strength goal to the Bulldogs all weekend, racking up 66 saves on 68 shots in the split for a .971 save percentage. He also compiled a 1.02 goals-against average against the Bulldogs. His save percentage and GAA both led the NCHC on the weekend, while he improved to 2-3-0 on the season with a .915 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA.

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

Photo/Casey B. Gibson

(November 7, 2022)