NCDC Conference Standouts For October 5-11, 2026

The National Collegiate Development Conference is proud to recognize its Conference Standouts for the week of Sept. 28 through Oct. 4. One forward, defenseman and goaltender was selected from each of the league’s seven conferences.

Forward: Aaron Stemper, Rockets Hockey Club – 3 GP, 1-5-6

Stemper drove the Rockets’ offense throughout the week, producing six points over three games. His five assists led all Atlantic forwards during the selection period.

Defenseman: Jack Spiess, Mercer Chiefs – 2 GP, 2-4-6

Spiess delivered an outstanding offensive performance from the blue line, collecting six points as Mercer earned two important victories. He contributed at both ends of the ice while helping the Chiefs defeat Connecticut Junior Rangers and the previously unbeaten Northern Cyclones.

“Jack was solid as a rock on defense and was plus-six over the weekend,” said Mercer Head Coach Rob Broderick.

Goalie: Thomas Winsett, West Chester Wolves – 1-0, 38 saves, .950 save percentage, 2.00 GAA

Winsett turned aside 38 of 40 shots in West Chester’s 4-2 victory over the previously unbeaten Jersey Hitmen. His workload and performance against one of the conference’s strongest teams separated him in a competitive Atlantic goaltending race.

Honorable mentions: Beaudy Beaudin and Jack Scali (Mercer Chiefs); Troels Simonsen (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights); Artur Ovsepian and Sean Felker (P.A.L. Junior Islanders).

Forward: Noah Cutillo, Vermont Universel – 2 GP, 2-5-7

Cutillo led the Colonial Conference with seven points in two games, including a five-point performance in Vermont’s victory over the Connecticut RoughRiders. He contributed in both games while helping Vermont finish the showcase with a 1-1 record.

“Noah Cutillo had an amazing weekend at the Jersey Hitmen Classic,” said Vermont Head Coach Simon Thibault. “He scored two goals and added five assists in two games.”

Defenseman: Samuel Zeman, Springfield Pics – 3 GP, 1-3-4

Zeman contributed four points from the blue line and scored a game-winning goal during Springfield’s three-game week. His timely production helped separate him in a three-way tie among the Pics’ leading defensemen.

Goalie: Kiefer Ward, Utica Jr. Comets – 1-0, 34 saves, .971 save percentage, 1.00 GAA

Ward stopped 34 of 35 shots in his appearance, backstopping Utica to a victory while facing the heaviest workload among the Colonial Conference’s leading goaltending candidates.

Honorable mentions: Cade Anderson (Red Bank Generals); Nick Ferrari, Max Richler and Steven Louiselle (New York Dynamo); Bauer Genest and Mihails Bondarcuks (Vermont Universel).

Forward: Nick Kondub, Boston Jr. Rangers – 2 GP, 4-1-5

Kondub scored four times and added an assist over two games, continuing his better-than-two-points-per-game scoring pace. He was a consistent threat whenever he stepped onto the ice.

“Nick is a dynamic player,” said Boston Jr. Rangers Head Coach Rich DeCaprio. “He competes every day at a high level and is a scoring threat every time he is on the ice.”

Defenseman: Zachary Chehade, South Shore Kings – 3 GP, 4-0-4

Chehade scored four goals from the blue line while helping South Shore earn victories over Worcester and Jersey. His skating, puck movement and dangerous shot made him an impact player at both ends of the ice.

“Chehade was dynamic at both ends of the ice,” said South Shore Head Coach Tyler Holske. “He used his feet to break pucks out, showed excellent poise with the puck and was a big offensive contributor.”

Goalie: Roberts Kravalis, South Shore Kings – 2-0, 40 saves, .952 save percentage, 1.00 GAA

Kravalis won both of his appearances and surrendered only two goals. His week included a 21-save performance in South Shore’s 4-1 victory over a strong Jersey Hitmen team.

“Roberts made all the saves he was supposed to make against a good Jersey team,” Holske said. “He is big, calm and gives our players a lot of confidence.”

Honorable mentions: Luke Dow (South Shore Kings); Gavin Fitzpatrick, Charlie Windwer and Mike Karo (Boston Jr. Terriers).

Forward: Simon McCandless, Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings – 2 GP, 6-2-8

McCandless erupted for six goals and eight points as Wisconsin Rapids collected two victories. He closed the weekend with four goals and an assist in the Riverkings’ 6-2 win over Northwest.

“He was a big reason why we were able to come away with a pair of wins on our home-opening weekend,” said Wisconsin Rapids Head Coach Paul Pechmann.

Defenseman: Antonin Cassista, Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings – 2 GP, 0-5-5

Cassista supplied five assists over two games, leading all Midwest defensemen in scoring. His puck distribution helped the Riverkings produce 10 goals during their weekend sweep.

Goalie: Bronx Bodnar, Toledo Cherokee – 2-0, 81 saves, .953 save percentage, 2.00 GAA

Bodnar earned both of Toledo’s victories against Chicago, stopping 81 of 85 shots. He made 40 saves in a 4-3 win before returning with 41 saves while allowing only one goal in the rematch.

“Bronx was the difference this weekend,” said Toledo Head Coach Kenny Miller. “Every time he is in net, he gives us a chance to win, and he proved that this weekend.”

Honorable mentions: Charlie Nolette (Toledo Cherokee); Lukas Marek, Ethan Zuvela and Kellen Ceraldi (Columbus Mavericks); Jacob Chevrier-Alexander and Niksa Slade (Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings); Eddie Drury, Markus Lunski and Mason Kelm (Minnesota Blue Ox).

Forward: Luis Valencia, Woodstock Warriors – 2 GP, 3-2-5

Valencia scored three goals and added two assists as Woodstock remained unbeaten. His week included a hat trick, and his leadership and offensive impact earned him a nomination from Warriors Head Coach Jason Tatarnic.

“Luis has been excellent this season,” Tatarnic said. “He has been a great leader, and his play has been exceptional.”

Defenseman: Connor Morissette, Lewiston MAINEiacs – 3 GP, 1-2-3

Morissette contributed three points from the blue line while helping Lewiston win two of its three games. His week included a power-play goal and a game-winner, giving him the edge in a close Northeast defensive race.

Goalie: Thijs Scheyltjens, Montreal Black Vees – 1-0, 24-save shutout, 1.000 save percentage, 0.00 GAA

Scheyltjens stopped every shot he faced in Montreal’s 1-0 overtime victory over the Thunder. He remained perfect throughout regulation and overtime to secure one of the week’s strongest goaltending performances.

Honorable mentions: Yegor Krasavin (Woodstock Warriors).

Forward: Cameron Stehle, Carolina Junior Hurricanes – 3 GP, 2-8-10

Stehle led all NCDC skaters with 10 points during the selection period. He played against Hampton Roads, Tampa Bay and Florida Surge, helping Carolina earn two victories during a demanding three-game stretch.

Defenseman: Adriano Bongiorno, Carolina Junior Hurricanes – 3 GP, 5-1-6

Bongiorno scored five goals and finished with six points from the blue line. His offensive output was unmatched among NCDC defensemen during the week.

Goalie: Eetu Vuorinen, Tampa Bay Juniors – 2-0, 52 saves, .946 save percentage, 1.50 GAA

Vuorinen earned two victories while stopping 52 of 55 shots. His performance helped Tampa Bay complete a three-game sweep during a difficult showcase slate that included Potomac, Carolina and Charlotte.

Honorable mentions: Niko Makela and John Ballmann (Tampa Bay Juniors); Tristan Hoko and Kevin Rimér (Hampton Roads Whalers); Lorenzo Tita, Patrick Sweeney and Wes Wójtowicz (Charlotte Rush).

Forward: Adan Kostanian, Rock Springs Miners – 3 GP, 3-4-7

Kostanian led the West Conference with seven points over three games. He produced consistently while continuing to set an example for the Miners on and off the ice.

“Adan never gets too high or too low,” said Rock Springs Head Coach Alex Miner. “He is the definition of an emerging elite athlete.”

Defenseman: Andrew Brown, Park City Outliers – 3 GP, 0-2-2

Brown recorded two power-play assists during Park City’s challenging three-game stretch against Rock Springs and Vernal. His production against the stronger schedule earned him the tiebreaker in a crowded West defenseman race.

Goalie: Aidan Finn, Lake Tahoe Lakers – 2-0, .984 save percentage, 0.50 GAA, one shutout

Finn allowed only one goal across two victories as Lake Tahoe completed its sweep of McCall. He opened the series with a shutout and remained nearly perfect throughout the weekend.

“Aidan Finn has been lights out for us and is stepping up in a big way,” said Lake Tahoe Goaltending Coach Zach Wickson.

Honorable mentions: Boston Cripps and Micah Adams (Rock Springs Miners); Chase Harrington and Nathan Clark (Lake Tahoe Lakers).

Conference Standouts recognizes a forward, defenseman and goaltender from each NCDC conference. These honors do not include a cash award. The Performance Player of the Week is a separate award selected by a voting panel, recognizing one player across each league, regardless of position, with a $1,000 award in the NCDC. A Conference Standout selection does not automatically receive the Performance Player of the Week award.