NCDC 2024-25 Awards: Mercer Chiefs Named Atlantic Division Organization Of The Year
By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
The National Collegiate Development Conference congratulates the Mercer Chiefs on being named the 2024-25 Atlantic Division Organization Of The Year.
The Chiefs went 38-15-1-0 this past season, and defeated the Atlantic regular season champion P.A.L. Jr. Islanders in a winner-take-all Game 5 to earn a spot in the Dineen Cup Championship series. Winning the Atlantic title was going to be their only way into the championships and it was “mission accomplished.”
All of the on-ice success this year comes from a dedication to high standards and a first class player experience, which begins in the front office.
“This is an awesome honor especially coming from the other organizations,” said Chiefs General Manager and Head Coach Rob Broderick. “I have to thank Owner Murry Gunty and President of Junior Hockey Andrew Goldman for helping make this happen with the Chiefs and the NCDC when I talked to them about the prospect of fielding a team. We started from scratch – no players to build a team, and the work and hustle that went into year one was immense. Kevin St. Jacques, J.T. Tarantino, Oktay Armagan, and Terry Jarkowski have been awesome as coaches, and Heather O’Connell and her hockey operations team have gone above and beyond.”
The 38 wins and the Atlantic title, however, could not happen without the players who pull on the jerseys for every game.
“Our success is first and foremost about the players. They make it happen. We have made the Atlantic Division Championship all three years, and each year we had a real shot at winning it,” said Broderick, who was ecstatic to see his team pull off the big Game 5 victory to earn that first division title.
A major statistic to look at is the number of returning players for the Chiefs. There were 10 players on the Chiefs who were either two-or even three-year players on the NCDC team. David VanIterson, Gregory Diamond and lifelong Chief Jack Terhaar all completed their third season with the third-year franchise. Additionally, the Chiefs brought back key 2023-24 contributors like goalie Dom Gatto and forward Tyler Agnew, as well.
“I think we retain players because it is a great place to play – and that is not measured by wins really. It is a culture of caring about the players,” said Broderick. “Winning is important, but development and getting better every day is of the utmost importance. After that, we really try to push our players to the next level – whether that be college or the USHL.”
Defenseman Jake Stevens was a great success story as the NCDC’s leading scorer among defensemen. He saw time briefly with the Chiefs last year after originally being a 2022 NCDC Draft Pick. This year, he was everywhere at once for the Chiefs, and he’s already set for his NCAA career at Middlebury College.
“We also try to pick not only talented players, but good people. Jake Stevens was one of the first players we drafted here. I coached his older brother and have known Jake and his family forever,” said Broderick. “Yes, I knew his skill level, but more importantly, I knew what a great young man he is. And I think they knew that we are not only a good program, but we genuinely care about our players.
“Guys like Greg Diamond and Dom Gatto stayed because they know all about the culture here. Sam Ciappa, Cole Werthman, and Justin Thibault, and all of the players on the roster for that matter, are not only awesome players, but they have a high compete level and are great people.”
The Chiefs has seen seven of their players make NCAA commitments this year. Additionally, earlier this week, Justin Thibault was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 United States Hockey League Entry Draft. Also selected in the USHL Draft was Chiefs 18U player Filip Kacmarsky, who also saw NCDC time this year in a call-up.
“I think our record speaks for itself. Our players either get college commitments, or they get drafted into a Tier 1 league,” said Broderick. “I think we do it as well as anyone.”