COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After leading their teams to wins over the weekend, the KJ Branding National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Players of the Week for the week of Oct. 21-27, 2024 (Week 4) represent four different teams with three upperclassmen and a pair of goaltenders honored:

• Forward – Dominic James, Minnesota Duluth, Sr.
• Defenseman – Josh Zinger, St. Cloud State, Jr.
• Goaltender – Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College, Jr.
• Rookie – Ethan Dahlmeir, Miami, Goaltender

These are the first career NCHC weekly honors for James, Zinger and Dahlmeir, while Mbereko gloves his ninth career NCHC Goaltender of the Week nod, but first this season.
 
FORWARD OF THE WEEK
Dominic James, Minnesota Duluth
Senior Forward
Plymouth, Mich.
 
James was a force all weekend for the Bulldogs, leading Minnesota Duluth to a sweep of Stonehill with a four-goal, five-point series. The UMD captain scored two goals both nights against the Skyhawks, including the game-winning goal each night. In Friday’s 5-1 victory, James scored UMD’s second goal unassisted, which was the game-winner, while also tallying the fourth goal on the power play and adding a primary assist on the final goal. A night later, the Chicago Blackhawks draft pick scored both UMD goals in a 2-1 win, both on the power play.
 
James’ four goals on the weekend led all NCHC players, while his five points tied for first. He had a hand in five of the Bulldogs’ seven goals on the weekend, while it marked his first career back-to-back two-goal games. The senior had three power play goals, blocked four shots and posted a +1 plus/minus against Stonehill. James leads his team in scoring with both six goals and 10 points in seven games this season.
 
DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Josh Zinger, St. Cloud State
Junior Defenseman
Red Deer, Alberta
 
Zinger had a breakout weekend for the Huskies, chipping in three points from the blue line in a sweep of Augustana. The Northern Michigan transfer recorded his first points at SCSU, while scoring a goal both nights. In Friday’s 4-3 victory, Zinger had the primary assist on the Huskies’ first goal to tie the game, then scored their second goal late in the first frame to knot the game at 2-2. A night later, he broke a 1-1 tie with a blast from the blue line that was the game-winner in a 2-1 victory. He also helped the penalty kill go 2-for-2 on Saturday night after SCSU committed no penalties on Friday.
 
Zinger finished the series with two goals, a primary assist, one blocked shot and a +2 plus/minus. He also did not commit a penalty all weekend. Zinger’s three points on the season tie for the lead among SCSU defensemen.
 
GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College
Junior Goaltender
Aspen, Colo.
 
Mbereko was a rock in net for the Tigers all weekend, backstopping CC to a sweep at Alaska Anchorage while surrendering only one goal all series. In Friday’s opener, he made 28 saves in a 2-1 victory. The following night, he stopped all 18 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory for his first shutout of the season and fifth of his career. It was both CC’s and Mbereko’s first shutout since his freshman season on March 17, 2023.
 
Mbereko was especially strong on the penalty kill, helping CC finish the weekend 6-for-6 a man down, while making 12 saves with the Tigers short-handed. He completed the series at UAA with 46 total saves and a .979 save percentage, while posting a 0.50 goals-against average in the two wins. On the season, Mbereko is now 4-0-0 and leads the NCHC with a 1.25 GAA, while his .936 save percentage is third in the conference.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ethan Dahlmeir, Miami
Freshman Goaltender
Lakeville, Minn.
 
Dahlmeir shined in his first career home start and only his second start all season. He backstopped Miami to a 4-1 win over Lindenwood on Saturday in the series finale, making 34 saves to earn his first collegiate win in net. Dahlmeir was named First Star of the Game, as the RedHawks were outshot by the Lions, 35-17. He also helped Miami go 5-for-5 on the penalty kill with seven saves, including killing off a five-minute major in the final period on Saturday.
 
In addition to his goaltending, Dahlmeir earned an assist on Miami’s final goal to seal the victory and snap a three-game losing streak. It was Miami’s first goalie assist since February of 2020. Dahlmeir finished his night with a .971 save percentage and a 1.00 GAA. On the season, he is now 1-0-1 with a .929 save percentage and a 1.95 GAA in three games.
 
OTHER NOMINEES:
 
Forward of the Week
Owen Beckner, Colorado College
Jack Devine, Denver
Christophe Fillion, Miami
Ryan Kirwan, Arizona State
Nick Portz, St. Cloud State
Jake Schmaltz, North Dakota

Defenseman of the Week
Ryan Koering, Colorado College
Aaron Pionk, Minnesota Duluth
Eric Pohlkamp, Denver
Abram Wiebe, North Dakota
 
Goaltender of the Week
Ethan Dahlmeir, Miami
Matt Davis, Denver
Gibson Homer, Arizona State
 
Rookie of the Week
Owen Beckner, Colorado College, Forward
Jake Fisher, Denver, Forward
Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, Goaltender
Mac Swanson, North Dakota, Forward