NCDC Die-Hards: Mercer Chiefs’ Cole Werthman
The NCDC Die-Hards profile series focuses on NCDC players from the 2024-25 season who have re-signed and registered with the same team for the 2025-26 season.
By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
It was a fantastic homecoming for the former Mercer Chiefs youth hockey goaltender Cole Werthman when he joined the NCDC’s Chiefs last season.
Werthman started the season with the Worcester Railers JHC, but was later acquired by the Chiefs and immediately went on a tear. The 2006-born native of Levittown, Pa., won all seven regular season games he played with the Chiefs and also went 7-2 in the postseason.
It should come as no surprise then that Werthman wants to pick up where he left off and keep bringing success to the organization with which he’s spent so much of his entire career.
“The biggest factor in my decision to come back for a second season with the Chiefs was the competitive culture here. From top to bottom, this organization has a real hunger to win, and that energy is contagious,” said Werthman. “Every practice, every meeting, every game — there’s a constant push to get better, and that’s the kind of environment I want to be in.
“Head coach Rob Broderick is a huge part of that. He does a phenomenal job making sure we’re fully prepared, both mentally and physically, so when we step on the ice, we know exactly what needs to be done,” Werthman added. “That combination of a winning mindset and great leadership made the decision an easy one for me. Couldn’t be happier to return for a second season.”
His combined .940 save percentage in the regular season (including a .976 mark in his seven regular season games with the Chiefs) placed him second in the NCDC last year among players with at least 12 games played.
“From the moment I joined the Chiefs until now, my confidence has grown tremendously. I really focused on buying into the little details — cleaning up the technical side of my game and making sure every rep counted,” Werthman said. “That attention to detail has made a big difference in my performance. But I can’t take all the credit—having such a strong team in front of me was a huge factor in how we finished the season. They made my job easier, and together we built momentum that carried us through, and helped us get to the Dineen Cup Championships.”
Werthman was in net for the Chiefs’ overtime win against the Cyclones to open their Cup series run, stopping 41 of 44 shots. Earlier in the playoffs against the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders, Werthman stopped 63 of 66 in an OT victory. He was absolutely locked in.
“My experience playing in the Dineen Cup Championship last year was incredible. I love being in the biggest moments and feeling that intensity, but not winning definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. It makes you want the season to start sooner and get back after it”,” he said.
“I know everyone in the Mercer Chiefs organization believes we’ll be back this year and is focused on bringing some hardware home. Coach Broderick has had a phenomenal off-season, bringing in guys who will make this team even stronger than last year, and that gives me a lot of confidence heading into the season,” Werthman added.
As much as Werthman is hoping to advance in his career, his main focus is getting the Chiefs back to the Dineen Cup Championships and this time, he believes they will have what it takes to win it all next April in Idaho Falls.
“For me, it’s not about playing for the eyes of college scouts or higher-level junior coaches. I believe that if the team has success, individual success will follow,” he said. “My focus is on my mental side of my game — having a short memory after goals and making sure my mind is set on next shot — and on doing everything I can to help us get back to the Dineen Cup Championship and finish the job. At the end of the day, I’m out there playing for the guys battling with me every single day.”
The Atlantic Conference continues to be a tough circuit, including as it does three of the seven all-time NCDC Dineen Cup Champions since the 2017-18 inaugural season.
“Playing in the NCDC and the Atlantic Conference has been an awesome challenge. The speed of the game in this division is very fast, and the skill level is high across the board,” Werthman said. “Every team is tough to play against, and every single night feels like a battle. With some teams in our division being so close, it makes for great rivalries that build throughout the season. Those games always have a little extra intensity, and that’s what makes this league so competitive and fun to be a part of.”