NCDC Die-Hards is a series of articles profiling signed and returning NCDC veterans preparing for the 2024-25 season.
By Joshua Boyd / NCDCHockey.com
Last year, the Ogden Mustangs showed the junior hockey world just what kind of a team they were, when they came into Foxboro, Mass., and defeated the Dineen Cup Finals host Kings by a 7-3 score in Game 1.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, Games 2 and 3 did not go their way, but they saw how close they were to glory, especially after capturing the Mountain Division championship against their rivals the Utah Outliers. Brody Simko loved every minute of the Dineen Cup finals and the preceding 2023-24 season, his first with Ogden after an outstanding career in the Esmark (now Pittsburgh) Stars AAA program.
“I think the 2023-24 season was a memorable one for the Ogden Mustangs and an overall good season for the NCDC Mountain Division. With the expansion into the West, there were many questions about if the West could compete with the East. There were some big moments and games that I will remember forever,” said Simko, a returning 2004-born forward for Ogden out of Butler, Pa. “While it was not the outcome we wanted in the Dineen Cup, I think we competed and proved that the talent level across the entire NCDC is at an all-time high. I am ready to make another run this year.”
Simko showed just how much of a game-breaker he can be for a team, posting 42 points in 49 regular season games, and then churning up the production even more in the postseason. Over 10 games, he produced nine goals and 14 points. This included a 2-2-4 line during the three-game Dineen Cup Finals series. With another year of junior hockey to chase his NCAA hockey dreams, there was no way he was pulling on a different jersey.
“The decision to re-sign with Ogden was an easy and simple one, once I decided I was going back to juniors. I feel that I will be able to play to my strengths, work on my weaknesses, and make another run at the Dineen Cup. I have a great relationship with Coach Kenny Orlando, and we talked about what needs to be worked on during the off-season and set some lofty goals both personally and as a team,” he said. “ We are both on the same page on what I need to do as a player to develop my game for this season. I know my strengths are as a goal-scorer, but I want to build my overall game.
“The second reason is that we have the best fans in the league as they are there to support us whether it’s a Saturday night game in Ogden or a Dineen Finals in Boston,” he added. “Our fans always support us and it’s just such a great place to play.”
He is certainly itching to get back to the lively city of Ogden, nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Range in Utah.
“I had an amazing experience with the Ogden Mustangs and everyone in the organization: Ownership, Coaches, Billets, Fans, Community. The entire junior hockey experience has really helped me develop on and off the ice,” Simko said. “When you’re 2,000 miles away from home, you have no choice but to take accountability and grow. I am very thankful for my experience and look forward to coming back as a leader amongst this group.”
He was also impressed with the NCDC overall, whether it was their tight games in the Rocky Mountain states or the tough competition in the final. It is the right place to push your game to the NCAA level.
“I love the level of compete in the NCDC, because no matter who you are playing, it’s always a hard-fought battle. There are no easy games or nights off.” Simko said. “I had a slow start to the season, but once the team started to do well and I started to perform on a consistent basis, the calls and texts started to come in from scouts. Additionally, I had a good showing in the showcase in Idaho Falls, and coaches reached out from that. I expect the scouting and the exposure only to get better this season. The organization as a whole has interest in players moving on to college which helps a ton.”
As mentioned, he already has received calls from college scouts and he expects more to come soon. Along with finishing second on the team in goals (20) and third in points (43) last year, he also led the Mustangs in hits with 63.
“I have interest from several colleges and had the opportunity to make that jump last year. Again, I just think another year of development will allow me to find a school that gives me what I want both athletically and academically. I’m just looking for a coach and a team that sees my strengths and is able to get the most out of me,” he added. “I want to get on as many coaches’ and scouts’ radars as I can.”
With that in mind, he’s been working hard this summer to elevate what he’ll bring to the ice when the games begin. The Mustangs open their 2024-25 season on Sept. 20 against the visiting Idaho Falls Spud Kings.
“First, I am looking to improve my explosiveness, and secondly, I am trying to make high level plays at a higher speed,” Simko said. “The goal is to get ready to compete with guys in college. I think the ability to score, make high level plays and be a 200-foot player will increase my chances in college and beyond.”
The NCDC wishes Brody Simko and the Ogden Mustangs the very best of luck in 2024-25.
