It wouldn’t be far-fetched to compare Kaidan Mbereko’s love for Colorado College hockey to a marriage. 

Not every day has been perfect or easy, but the memories the senior goalie built with his coaches and teammates are those he’ll cherish forever. 

Helping the Tigers earn a sweep at Western Michigan in the 2023 National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinals as a freshman is one such memory, and teammate Bret Link’s overtime game-winner against the same Broncos last February is another. 

This weekend, the senior who spent all four years playing on Friday and Saturday nights at Ed Robson Arena downtown could take the ice at Robson for the final time in his collegiate career. It’s only fitting that for senior night, with some 15 members of family and friends in attendance, Mbereko and CC will host Western Michigan. 

 “I think, just first and foremost, I draw back to being incredibly grateful, just having the opportunity to be here, be a part of this program, and being able to play in that rink on Fridays and Saturdays and play in front of our community and just our crowd and our student section and being able to represent something bigger than myself. Little Kaidan would have never thought or imagined this,” the senior captain said. 

Mbereko enters the weekend with 126 games played for CC, the most among active netminders in the conference and one contest shy of the record for most in program history. His career save percentage of .914 is currently the second-best in CC history and his goals-against average of 2.49 ranks inside the top 10.  Mbereko posted a .925 save percentage through 32 games his freshman season, the second-best single-season mark in CC history. 

The senior out of Aspen has etched his name in the program’s record books many times over. But his sophomore year stands as his masterpiece. 

He played all 37 games, ranking second-most in program history for a single season, and earned 21 wins, which is tied for fourth. He posted a .915 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average. That year, Mbereko was one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Award, presented to the country’s best goaltender. He was named conference goaltender of the year by unanimous decision and voted team MVP. 

At the end of that 2023-24 season, Mbereko was named a first-team All-American, joining just 46 other players in CC history whose names are written in the Tigers’ locker room for such an honor.

But like any good marriage, Mbereko’s personal joy isn’t what matters or what he remembers, but rather the joy of his teammates and coaches. 

CC’s run to its first 20-win season in over a decade was sparked by a sweep of then-No. 1-ranked North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in December of 2023. The Tigers took both contests by a 3-2 margin in overtime. Former teammate Gleb Veremyev scored the game-winner on the second night to complete the sweep. His attempt at the famed “heartbreaker” celebration moments after still draws a good laugh from Mbereko. 

“He was just too excited. He just did a circle and it was just like, ‘ha!’ He tried to go on his knees … it was so funny,” Mbereko said. “We call it the circle breaker, just half knees, trying to jump, he’s jumping, jumping at the crowd, screaming at the North Dakota fans. That was seriously one of the best moments.“

Mbereko’s former teammate Noah Laba gave the Tigers the win on the opening night of that series. The game-winner was one of four in overtime that season, which paced the nation. He had seven game-winners overall and led CC in scoring with 37 points (20 goals, 17 assists) en route to being named a second-team All-American. The former Tiger turned New York Ranger’s success was all that was on Mbereko’s mind when they received the prestigious honor. 

“I honestly was more excited for Laba to get his. That year, he was such a driver for our team. He really pushed me to be almost like a pro, because obviously he is a pro, and just treat every day like that,” Mbereko said. “He brought that attitude, that mentality, it was never switched off. Even when we went home, he was always doing something to take care of his body or take care of the next opportunity.” 

Mbereko, Laba and Veremyev were part of an eight-man freshman class entering the 2022-2023 season. On Saturday, when the Tigers celebrate the senior class, Mbereko will be the only one of that group left. He’ll be joined by forward Ryan Alexander, who transferred to CC from Arizona State before this season. 

“I’m so lucky to have been a part of four teams. Obviously, every team we’ve had different guys come through and I really just cherish my entire class. I know I’m the last one here, but everybody in that class I came with,” Mbereko said, “We started college together, we all started a new experience, new everything, new classes. Most of us hadn’t been in school for a couple years so we all had to go through the adversity, the trials and learn together.”  

Staying positive in the face of adversity is a key component of the Tigers’ culture. The class of 2026 was formed in a crucible in its first year. CC closed the regular season on a 13-game winless streak. Despite that, the Tigers went on to sweep Western Michigan and best rival Denver in the 2023 NCHC tournament to make the conference championship. 

Mbereko’s class learned from the class of 2024 the following season. Seniors like captain Logan Will, Ray Christy, Jack Millar and Chase Foley taught their younger teammates how to handle hard times. 

“Those guys were incredible. They had been here longer than me obviously and they had way more hardships and way more downtimes than us and they were able to be so positive and help us grow and just be rock solid for us the entire year,” Mbereko said. 

He learned from fellow netminder Henry Wilder, who transferred to CC before the 2023-2024 season. Though Wilder barely saw the ice, his work ethic and positive attitude inspired Mbereko. 

Now, Mbereko sets the example for his younger teammates. This year, he’s roommates with junior center Klavs Veinbergs, freshman defenseman Mats Lindgren and Alexander. 

“I was genuinely surprised that there can be a person as positive as Kaidan. He’s always in a great mood,” Veinbergs said. “You see him and he just lifts up your spirit and makes you feel better.”

These relationships are why in an era where there is an abundance of opportunities for players via the transfer portal or NIL deals and now revenue sharing, Mbereko chose to stay with the black and gold for all four seasons. 

His loyalty means the world to coach Kris Mayotte, whom Mbereko views as like a father figure. 

“I don’t think I could see myself playing, at least in college hockey, for another coach,” Mbereko said. “He had to instill discipline. He had to take some things away from me and make me earn them back but it was all out of love, and it was all for a reason. I can’t thank him enough for the opportunity, obviously, of coming here and wearing the CC jersey and representing this program. But also allowing myself to fall. … I had to learn (lessons) and yeah, it was harsh at times but he was right there to help me get better, get back on my feet, and push forward.

“I don’t think I would have gotten that anywhere else in the country.” 

Mayotte feels much the same way. He doesn’t know what he’ll say to the senior on Saturday as Mbereko caps off an illustrious career, but he knows it’ll come from the heart. 

“I’m kind of an off-the-cuff guy, however I feel in that moment, but usually the foundation is love and appreciation. It’ll start from there,” Mayotte said.

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(22-8) No. 4 Western Michigan at (12-14-4) Colorado College, 7 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday

Race to the finish: Colorado College is seventh of nine in the NCHC with 24 points toward league standings. However, Minnesota Duluth, which holds the fourth and final spot for a home quarterfinal series in the NCHC tournament, is just four points ahead of CC. Western Michigan is one of three teams, alongside North Dakota and Denver which have separated themselves from the pack, with more than 40 points toward standings this season. 

Close calls: The Tigers have taken at least a point away from six of their last seven games and have been in nine overtime contests in league play this season. 

Man of Wisdom: Former CC forward Zaccharya Wisdom will make his return to Robson Arena this weekend after transferring to the Broncos in the offseason. He has 24 points on the season on 10 goals and 14 assists.