Kaidan Mbereko (born July 28, 2003) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.
Mbereko spent one season with the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2021âÂÂ22 season, he posted an 18âÂÂ11âÂÂ3 record, with a 3.01 goals against average (GAA) and .898 save percentage. He tied for sixth in the USHL with 18 victories and ranked 12th in save percentage.
Mbereko began his collegiate career for Colorado College during the 2022âÂÂ23 season. During his freshman year he appeared in 30 games with 29 starts, and posted a 9âÂÂ16âÂÂ2 record, with a 2.30 GAA and .925 save percentage. He led the NCAA among freshmen goaltenders and ranked fifth overall with a .925 save percentage. Mbereko had the NCHC's best save percentage (.925), while his goals against average (2.30) was tied for third in the conference. Following the season, he was named to the All-NCHC Rookie Team and All-NCHC Second Team.
During the 2023âÂÂ24 season, in his sophomore year, he started all 37 games and posted a 21âÂÂ13âÂÂ3 record, with a 2.40 GAA and .915 save percentage. During conference play, Mbereko made 24 starts and posted a 14âÂÂ8âÂÂ2 record, with his 14 wins tying for first in the conference. He led the NCHC with a 2.15 GAA and a .927 save percentage. He became the second player in NCHC history to receive three consecutive monthly awards as he was named NCHC goaltender of the month for December, January, and February. During the month of February, he posted a 3âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 record and led the NCHC with a .939 save percentage and 168 saves, and ranked second in the NCHC with a 1.79 GAA. He allowed two goals or fewer in five of his six starts and no more than three in any game, with all six games coming against ranked opponents. He was also named HCA National Goaltender of the Month for February 2024. Following an outstanding season he named the NCHC Goaltender of the Year, and a unanimous All-NCHC First Team selection. He was also named an AHCA West First Team All-American and a top-three finalist for the Mike Richter Award.
Mbereko signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL on March 16, 2026.
Mbereko was born to Isaac and Lauren Mbereko and has one brother, Zak. His father played professional rugby in Zimbabwe for 20 years.
Mbereko represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in three games and recorded one win with a 2.85 GAA and .915 save percentage.
Mbereko represented the United States at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he recorded three wins and one loss, with a 1.76 GAA and .921 save percentage. He again represented the United States at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded one win and one loss, with a 4.64 GAA and .829 save percentage and won a bronze medal.