Kaidan Mbereko

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Born (2003-07-28) July 28, 2003 (age 22)
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Kaidan Mbereko
Born (2003-07-28) July 28, 2003 (age 22)
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
ECHL team Cincinnati Cyclones

Kaidan Mbereko (born July 28, 2003) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.

Mbereko spent one season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2021–22 season, he posted an 18–11–3 record, with a 3.01 goals against average (GAA) and .898 save percentage. He tied for sixth in the USHL with 18 victories and ranked 12th in save percentage.[1]

Mbereko began his collegiate career for Colorado College during the 2022–23 season.[2] During his freshman year he appeared in 30 games with 29 starts, and posted a 9–16–2 record, with a 2.30 GAA and .925 save percentage. He led the NCAA among freshmen goaltenders and ranked fifth overall with a .925 save percentage. Mbereko had the NCHC's best save percentage (.925), while his goals against average (2.30) was tied for third in the conference. Following the season, he was named to the All-NCHC Rookie Team and All-NCHC Second Team.[3]

During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he started all 37 games and posted a 21–13–3 record, with a 2.40 GAA and .915 save percentage. During conference play, Mbereko made 24 starts and posted a 14–8–2 record, with his 14 wins tying for first in the conference. He led the NCHC with a 2.15 GAA and a .927 save percentage. He became the second player in NCHC history to receive three consecutive monthly awards as he was named NCHC goaltender of the month for December, January, and February. During the month of February, he posted a 3–2–1 record and led the NCHC with a .939 save percentage and 168 saves, and ranked second in the NCHC with a 1.79 GAA. He allowed two goals or fewer in five of his six starts and no more than three in any game, with all six games coming against ranked opponents.[4] He was also named HCA National Goaltender of the Month for February 2024.[5] Following an outstanding season he named the NCHC Goaltender of the Year, and a unanimous All-NCHC First Team selection.[1] He was also named an AHCA West First Team All-American and a top-three finalist for the Mike Richter Award.[6][7]

Mbereko signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL on March 16, 2026.[8]

Personal life

Mbereko was born to Isaac and Lauren Mbereko and has one brother, Zak.[9] His father played professional rugby in Zimbabwe for 20 years.[1]

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place2023 Canada

Mbereko represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in three games and recorded one win with a 2.85 GAA and .915 save percentage.[10][11]

Mbereko represented the United States at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he recorded three wins and one loss, with a 1.76 GAA and .921 save percentage.[12][13] He again represented the United States at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded one win and one loss, with a 4.64 GAA and .829 save percentage and won a bronze medal.[14][1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Season Team League GPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
2021–22 Lincoln Stars USHL 35181131,8939513.01.898
2022–23 Colorado College NCHC 3091621,6456342.30.925
2023–24 Colorado College NCHC 37211332,2278902.40.915
2024–25 Colorado College NCHC 31 15 15 1 1,810 80 2 2.65 .905
2025–26 Colorado College NCHC 30 12 13 4 1,756 74 0 2.53 .915
NCAA totals 1305757107,43830662.47.915

International

Year Team Event Result GPWLTMINGASOGAASV%
2021 United States U18 5th 3100147702.85.915
2022 United States WJC 5th 4310238701.76.921
2023 United States WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 311090704.64.829
Junior totals 105204752102.65.903

Awards and honors

References

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