2025-26 Season Preview: Mercer Chiefs
The 2025-26 National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) season previews will provide an in-depth look at every team as they gear up for the year ahead. Leading up to opening night, a different team will be spotlighted each day. Each preview will include insights from the head coach, sharing expectations and outlooks for the upcoming season.
Mercer Chiefs
Division: Atlantic
Location: Hamilton, NJ | Ice Land Skating Arena
2024–25 Regular Season Record: 38-15-1-0 | 77 points 
2024–25 Postseason: Lost to South Shore Kings in Dineen Cup Championship Series
After a season filled with success, the Mercer Chiefs are now focused on taking it one step further in order to hoist the Dineen Cup.
The Chiefs are coming off a tremendous season in which they not only won their first ever Atlantic Division Championship, but also were one of four teams vying for the Dineen Cup back in April. Unfortunately, their journey fell just short after losing the series to the South Shore Kings, but they hope to come back with a vengeance this season.
Head coach and GM Rob Broderick who was named the Coach of the Year for the Atlantic Division last season is excited to get this season started and with only six returning players on his roster, the Chiefs will look a little different.
“We had our third great season last year as far as moving guys to NCAA/USHL, so we only have six returners, but those six are all young and talented,” said Broderick. “We brought in some really good players and have good goaltending, so it should be another exciting year of hockey.”
With a roster full of a lot of newer faces, the Chiefs will face its share of challenges, but the focus remains on pushing each player to work hard every day and rise to the occasion.
“We are young and we also have a great majority of new players,” said Broderick. “Our motto is to get better every day, both individually and as a team. I want my guys to make some mistakes out there early, to push the envelope and to improve as players. Do not want them playing ‘safe’ and gripping the stick too tight. Make some mistakes, stay positive and get better.”
The Chiefs pride themselves on playing with lots of speed and tenacity, so fans can expect fast-paced, high-energy games all season long.
“We like to try to dictate the terms of a game – with speed and tenacity, and to take care of details on the defensive side of the puck,” said Broderick. “We will be aggressive, but also will work our hardest to control what we can control, and to be disciplined and hard working.”
After falling just short of the Dineen Cup Championship in the spring, the Chiefs are back with a renewed focus, ready to prove why they remain one of the biggest threats in the league.