NCDC Conference Standouts: Oct. 19-25, 2026
The National Collegiate Development Conference is proud to recognize its Conference Standouts for the week of October 19-25. One forward, defenseman and goaltender was selected from each of the league’s seven conferences.
Atlantic Conference
Forward: David Ambuhl, Jersey Hitmen – 3 GP, 5-1-6
Ambuhl led Atlantic Conference forwards with five goals and six points in three games. His week included a four-goal, five-point performance against the Northern Cyclones on Saturday, featuring three power-play goals and the game-winning tally. He also contributed a shorthanded goal during the award week.
“David Ambuhl may be the most dynamic offensive weapon in the Atlantic Division,” said Hitmen Head Coach Toby Harris. “You move to the edge of your seats when he has the puck on his stick.”
Defenseman: Ethan Bombalski, Jersey Hitmen – 3 GP, 0-5-5
Bombalski led Atlantic Conference defensemen with five points, collecting five assists in three games. Three came on the power play, with another recorded shorthanded, highlighting his contributions to Jersey’s special teams.
Goaltender: Basil Hemberger, West Chester Wolves – 1 GP, 1-0, .939 SV%, 2.00 GAA
Hemberger stopped 31 of 33 shots to earn a victory in his lone appearance. His .939 save percentage led Atlantic Conference goaltenders during the award week, giving West Chester a strong performance in net.
Honorable Mentions: Timur Naletov, WBS Knights; Maksym Pastukh, Matiss Osans and Alessandro Capano, Rockets Hockey Club; Tristan MacCormack, Chris Sarver and Jack Scali, Mercer Chiefs.
Colonial Conference
Forward: Thomas “TJ” Pisano, New York Dynamo – 3 GP, 3-5-8
Pisano led Colonial Conference forwards with eight points in three games, scoring three goals and adding five assists. His production included a power-play goal and a game-winning goal, giving Dynamo both scoring and playmaking throughout the week.
Defenseman: Emanuel Grenier, Springfield Pics – 2 GP, 0-4-4
Grenier collected four assists in two games, matching the conference’s highest point total among defensemen while playing one fewer game than fellow four-point producer Roger Williams. His contributions included a power-play assist, and he averaged two points per game.
Goaltender: Gavin Carpenter, Springfield Pics – 1 GP, 1-0, .966 SV%, 1.00 GAA
Carpenter turned aside 28 of 29 shots to secure a victory for Springfield. He led Colonial Conference goaltenders with a .966 save percentage, allowing just one goal across a full 60-minute appearance. Head Coach Rob Bonneau praised Carpenter for making several important saves.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Botlo, Springfield Pics; Logan Charby, Arthur Sévigny and Mihails Bondarcuks, Vermont Universel.
Metropolitan Conference
Forward: Nick Kondub, Boston Jr. Rangers – 3 GP, 3-2-5
Kondub led Metropolitan Conference forwards with five points, recording three goals and two assists in three games. His three goals also topped the conference’s forwards during the award week.
Defenseman: Nicholas Brandano, Northern Cyclones – 3 GP, 0-3-3
Brandano led Metropolitan Conference defensemen with three points, registering three assists across three games. Two came on the power play, making special teams a significant part of his weekly contribution.
Goaltender: Michael Karo, Boston Jr. Terriers – 1 GP, 1-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA
Karo stopped all 25 shots he faced to earn a shutout victory for the Terriers. His perfect performance earned him the conference’s weekly goaltending recognition after being nominated by Head Coach Cody Gonyeau.
Honorable Mentions: Samuel Yucel and Theodor Borjesson, Northern Cyclones; Wonjun Yun and Talon Langston, Boston Jr. Terriers.
Midwest Conference
Forward: Denis Portnoy, Red River Spartans – 4 GP, 4-7-11
Portnoy led Midwest Conference skaters with 11 points in four games, scoring four goals and adding seven assists. His production included three power-play assists and a game-winning goal, averaging 2.75 points per game during a productive week for the Spartans.
Defenseman: Nicholas Mule, Hudson Havoc – 2 GP, 0-3-3
Mule collected three assists in two games, helping Hudson complete a two-win weekend. His three-point contribution led the conference’s listed defensemen in scoring.
“Nick was a big contributor to our 2-0 weekend,” said Hudson Head Coach Russell Barone.
Goaltender: Aiden Mott, Northwest Express — 2 GP, 2-0, .958 SV%, 1.50 GAA
Mott stopped 68 of 71 shots across two victories, including an overtime win. He allowed just three goals during the week, combining a substantial workload with a .958 save percentage to earn Midwest Conference recognition.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Rytel, Jack Devlin and Gino Texter, Columbus Mavericks; Mikko Brown, Hudson Havoc.
Northeast Conference
Forward: Yan Krasavin, Woodstock Warriors — 2 GP, 3-1-4
Krasavin recorded three goals and an assist in two games, highlighted by a hat trick in Sunday’s victory. “Krasavin can score goals, and he was instrumental in our win on Sunday by scoring a hat trick,” said Woodstock Head Coach Jason Tatarnic.
Defenseman: Richard Jenkins, Lewiston MAINEiacs – 2 GP, 1-4-5
Jenkins led Northeast Conference defensemen with five points, recording a goal and four assists in two games. His production included a power-play assist, complementing his defensive work during Lewiston’s two-win weekend. “Jenkins created plays constantly throughout the weekend that led to a major boost on the offensive side, while playing a steady shut down role on the defensive side,” Head Coach Caleb Labrie said.
Goaltender: Birk Cassels, Woodstock Warriors — 2 GP, 2-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA
Cassels recorded back-to-back shutouts, stopping all 37 shots he faced across two victories. His perfect 120-minute week gave Woodstock a dependable foundation in net and earned him the Northeast Conference honor.
“Birk is a very steady goalie that makes the first save,” said Warriors Head Coach Jason Tatarnic. “He’s been very good for us this season.”
Honorable Mentions: Chase Field, Gabriel Pomerleau, Lewiston MAINEiacs;
South Conference
Forward: Robbie Rajnys, Yorktown Admirals – 2 GP, 2-2-4
Rajnys scored twice and added two assists in two games, tying for the South Conference lead in points among forwards. His contributions included a game-winning goal and a shorthanded assist. “Rajnys 4 points this weekend in crucial moments helped our group secure a victory on the road against a very good team,” Head Coach CJ Sweigart said.
Defenseman: Derrick Pedersen, Florida Eels — 2 GP, 1-4-5
Pedersen recorded a goal and four assists in two games, tying for the South Conference lead in points among defensemen. Two of his assists came on the power play, and his five-point week gave the Eels substantial production from the blue line.
Goaltender: Nathan McAlpine, Florida Eels — 2 GP, 2-0, .971 SV%, 1.00 GAA
McAlpine stopped 66 of 68 shots across two victories, opening with 35 saves in Tuesday’s 11–2 win over Typhoon Hockey Club. He followed with a 31-save shutout in Sunday’s 1–0 victory over the Coral Springs Jr. Cats.
Honorable Mentions: Jacob Janosko, Easton Larson and Patrick Sweeney, Charlotte Rush; Ralfs Kalnins, Yorktown Admirals; Anton Widas, Tampa Bay Juniors.
West Conference
Forward: Connor Smith, McCall Smokejumpers — 3 GP, 4-4-8
Smith scored four goals and added four assists in three games, helping McCall complete a three-win week. His eight-point contribution included a power-play assist and a game-winning goal. “Connor Smith has been a workhorse for us all year,” said McCall Head Coach August Kuzara. “He has been very productive every weekend.”
Defenseman: Verneri Kivisaari, Vernal Oilers – 2 GP, 3-1-4
Kivisaari scored three goals and added an assist in two games, averaging two points per appearance. His contributions included a power-play goal, a power-play assist and a game-winning goal, providing Vernal with timely offense from the blue line. “Kivi is a huge part of our back end,” said Vernal Head Coach David Imonti. “His play is a major contributor to the success or failure of our group.”
Goaltender: Elliot Desjardins, McCall Smokejumpers — 3 GP, 3-0, .931 SV%, 2.00 GAA
Desjardins stopped 81 of 87 shots while earning three victories, including two shootout wins. His weekend included a winning relief appearance on Sunday, helping McCall complete a three-win stretch. “Elliott has been very solid in the pipes for us recently and played fantastic for us Friday and Saturday, and came in on Sunday in relief to steal a game for us,” said McCall Head Coach August Kuzara. “Elliott has been getting better every day, and this won’t be the first time you see his name for these awards.”
About the Weekly Awards: 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.