Kaidan Mbereko’s collegiate career came to an end on March 7, but as one door closes, another opens. 

The four-year Colorado College hockey netminder signed a standard player contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, a minor professional ice hockey league, the team announced on Monday. 

Cincinnati is the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. 

Mbereko, who served as a captain for the Tigers this season, was named a first-team All-American two seasons ago, along with being named National Collegiate Hockey Conference Goaltender of the Year and one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Award, given to the most outstanding goalie in Division I men’s college hockey.

In CC’s first game in the NCHC quarterfinals at Western Michigan on March 6, he became the program’s all-time leader in games played by a goalie with 128. He was second all-time in career save percentage at .915 and third with 57 wins and 3,298 saves. 

He will graduate from CC in May with a degree in business, economics and society.