NCDC Conference Standouts: Oct. 26–Nov. 1, 2026
The National Collegiate Development Conference is proud to recognize its Conference Standouts for games played Oct. 26–Nov. 1, 2026. One forward, defenseman and goaltender was selected from each of the league’s seven conferences.
Atlantic Conference
Forward: Iaroslav Kushchev, West Chester Wolves – 4 GP, 3-3-6
Kushchev recorded three goals and three assists across four games, tying for the Atlantic Conference scoring lead. His three goals were the most among the conference’s six-point scorers, with one coming on the power play.
Defenseman: Hugo Johansson, Connecticut Jr. Rangers – 3 GP, 0-4-4
Johansson led Atlantic defensemen with four assists and four points in three games. He provided offensive support from the blue line, with all four assists coming outside the power play.
Goaltender: Rakhymbek Rakhymzhan, WBS Knights – 1 GP, 1-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA
Rakhymzhan stopped all 40 shots he faced in a 3–0 road victory over the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders. His shutout helped the Knights secure two points against a team near the top of the standings.
“Rocky was the difference maker in a really well-played game against a very tough P.A.L. team,” said Head Coach Andy Scott. “He made several outstanding saves at key times to help us secure an important two points.”
Honorable Mentions: Michael Tracy and Jacob Desjardins, West Chester Wolves; Timur Naletov and Carter Morrison, WBS Knights; Tristan MacCormick, Christopher Sarver and Jack Scali, Mercer Chiefs.
Colonial Conference
Forward: Adam Botlo, Springfield Pics – 4 GP, 3-8-11
Botlo led the NCDC’s weekly scoring report with 11 points, collecting three goals and eight assists as Springfield won all four games. He recorded a point in every appearance, with his production including a game-winning goal, a power-play goal and two power-play assists.
“Four wins is a great week, and it was a great team effort throughout our lineup,” said Head Coach Rob Bonneau.
Defenseman: Samuel Zeman, Springfield Pics – 4 GP, 2-6-8
Zeman led conference defensemen with eight points during Springfield’s undefeated week. His two goals and six assists included a game-winning tally, two power-play assists and two shorthanded assists, giving the Pics contributions in multiple situations.
Goaltender: Dylan Bourque, Utica Jr. Comets – 1 GP, 1-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA
Bourque turned aside all 28 shots he faced to earn a shutout victory for Utica. He completed 60 scoreless minutes, providing the Jr. Comets with a perfect performance in his lone appearance of the week.
Honorable Mentions: Danny Angelina, Springfield Pics; Nick Ferrari, Logan Goodman and Hunter Moreland, New York Dynamo; Tomasz Ptaszek, Connecticut RoughRiders.
Metropolitan Conference
Forward: Nick Kondub, Boston Jr. Rangers – 2 GP, 3-2-5
Kondub scored three goals and added two assists while helping the Jr. Rangers win both games. His week included a hat trick and a game-winning goal as he averaged 2.5 points per game.
“Nick continues to play on another level,” said Head Coach Rich DeCaprio. “There’s not a player like him in this league.”
Defenseman: Zachary Chehade, South Shore Kings – 4 GP, 4-3-7
Chehade led Metropolitan defensemen with four goals and seven points across four games. He recorded two power-play goals and two power-play assists, along with a game-winning goal, supplying South Shore with timely offense from its blue line.
Goaltender: Sam Ahl, New England Wolves – 1 GP, 1-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA
Ahl stopped all 30 shots he faced to earn a shutout victory for New England. His perfect outing gave the Wolves a dependable presence in goal and secured the conference’s weekly goaltending honor.
“Sam Ahl was perfect in net for us and has been great all season,” said Head Coach Tim Kunes.
Honorable Mentions: Filip Svoboda and Nicholas Brandano, Northern Cyclones; Wonjun Yun, Talon Langston and Michael Karo, Boston Jr. Terriers; Vincent Gosselin, New England Wolves.
Midwest Conference
Forward: Weston Schenkelberg, Minnesota Squatch – 4 GP, 5-3-8
Schenkelberg led Midwest forwards with five goals and eight points in four games. He averaged two points per appearance, with his production including a power-play goal and a power-play assist.
Defenseman: Bryce Bean, Toledo Cherokee – 3 GP, 3-3-6
Bean contributed three goals and three assists as Toledo won all three of its showcase games at Fort Wayne. His six points led Midwest defensemen, with all six coming outside the power play.
Goaltender: Michael Lane, Fort Wayne Spacemen – 4 GP, 3-0, .934 SV%, 2.53 GAA
Lane stopped 113 of 121 shots across four appearances, earning three victories during Fort Wayne’s showcase week. He opened with 40 saves in a 4-1 win Thursday, followed by 28 saves in a 5-1 victory Friday. After contributing 10 scoreless minutes in relief Saturday, he finished the weekend with 45 saves in a 7-6 win Sunday.
“Michael Lane was unbelievable and helped steal a game vs. Red River,” said Head Coach Lincoln Schrock. “He then managed two more wins on the weekend vs. River Kings and the Squatch. He’s stepped up and solidified his role in Fort Wayne.”
Honorable Mentions: Charlie Nolette, Toledo Cherokee; Mikhail Gorbunov and Elio Lepot, Fort Wayne Spacemen; Jaxson Kaebel, Rhett Steel and Aiden Mott, Northwest Express.
Northeast Conference
Forward: Donovan Odige, Montreal Black Vees – 3 GP, 4-2-6
Odige scored four goals and added two assists while helping Montreal collect three victories. Three of his goals came on the power play, and he also scored a game-winner, finishing as the Northeast’s leading forward in goals and points.
“Donovan is growing into an all-around centerman with so much potential for growth,” said Head Coach Francois Cloutier.
Defenseman: Thierry Normandin, Quebec Universel – 3 GP, 1-3-4
Normandin led Northeast defensemen with four points in three games. His lone goal came on the power play and stood as a game-winner, complementing three assists during a productive week for the Quebec defenseman.
Goaltender: Rylan Benner, St. Stephen County Moose – 2 GP, 2-0, .967 SV%, 1.00 GAA
Benner stopped 59 of 61 shots while earning two victories, including a shutout. He allowed just two goals across 120 minutes and posted the conference’s highest save percentage for the week.
South Conference
Forward: Hunter McKnight, Florida Jr. Blades – 2 GP, 2-3-5
McKnight led South Conference forwards with five points in two games, recording two goals and three assists. His balanced production included a power-play assist as he averaged 2.5 points per game for the Jr. Blades.
Defenseman: Esen Gendunov, Potomac Patriots – 2 GP, 1-3-4
Gendunov returned from injury with a goal and three assists, helping Potomac complete a weekend sweep. His four points tied for the conference lead among defensemen, providing an immediate offensive contribution upon his return.
“Esen’s offensive upside has been a key piece on the PP,” said Head Coach Alex Grose. “Missing the last two weeks with injury, he has been able to come back right where he left off.”
Goaltender: Lionel Gautschi, Potomac Patriots – 1 GP, 1-0, 1.000 SV%, 0.00 GAA
Gautschi turned aside all 35 shots he faced to earn a shutout victory during Potomac’s two-win weekend. He completed 60 scoreless minutes to secure South Conference goaltending recognition.
“Lionell is such a fast and sound goaltender. He gives us a chance to win every night,” said Grose. “It’s great to see him get a shutout when he has been consistently working so hard.”
Honorable Mentions: Philip Jacobson, Linus Gustafsson and Lasse Winther Sorensen, Hampton Roads Whalers; Dominic Pizzo, Potomac Patriots; Lorenzo Tita, Hunter Kerzner, Mason Scanlon and Jacob Janosko, Charlotte Rush.
West Conference
Forward: Zakhar Bryndin, Ventura Vikings – 3 GP, 4-2-6
Bryndin scored all three game-winning goals during Ventura’s three-game sweep at McCall. He recorded two points in each game, finishing the trip with four goals—including two on the power play—and two assists.
“He scored all three game-winning goals, showing he can finish when it matters most,” said Head Coach Jeff Jarvis. “On top of that, he put together two points per game, consistently creating offense and staying engaged at both ends.”
Defenseman: Noah Faber Jakobsen, Ventura Vikings – 3 GP, 1-4-5
Jakobsen led West Conference defensemen with five points, contributing a goal and four assists during Ventura’s sweep. His production included a power-play assist as he helped support the Vikings’ offense throughout the three-game trip.
Goaltender: Will Zinnen, Park City Outliers – 2 GP, 1-1, .959 SV%, 2.00 GAA
Zinnen stopped 93 of 97 shots across two starts, earning a victory and a shutout. Facing an average of 48.5 shots per game, he allowed only four goals and finished with the West’s highest save percentage for the week.
Conference Standouts recognize weekly excellence by position within each conference. These honors are separate from the league-wide Performance Player of the Week awards, which include performance payouts and are selected by an external media voting panel.
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.