The Elite League season is now two months old — and the landscape is still shifting.
Against the odds, the Manchester Storm lead the way at the top of the regular-season standings, while the winless Fife Flyers remain in the basement.
October saw hattricks scored and shutouts kept, with no shortage of standout performances across the competition.
With that, let’s dive into our Elite League Team of the Month selections for October.
Elite League Team of the Month: October 2025
Drew DeRidder, Manchester Storm (Goaltender)
Drew DeRidder, Manchester Storm (Image: Manchester Storm)
Drew DeRidder takes the net, with a perfect 5-0-0 record in the month of October.
The American made 183 stops on 189 shots to uphold a scintillating .968 save percentage, backstopping Manchester to the top of the Elite League standings.
DeRidder’s record is made even more impressive by his play in relief: he made 17 saves on 18 shots against the Guildford Flames on 18 October, despite entering the game cold (and with his team down 4-1) in the second period.
The 25-year-old recorded his fourth professional shutout on 10 October, producing a 42-save effort defeat the Clan 4-0 in Glasgow.
Cooper Zech, Nottingham Panthers (Defenceman)
Cooper Zech has picked up where he left off with the Nottingham Panthers, scoring five points (one goal, four assists) in nine games in October.
While the American is one of the best puck-moving defencemen in the Elite League, it’s his work as a disruptive force that stood out this month.
Zech is plus-three in regular-season play, averaging 17:20 time on ice for Danny Stewart’s side.
It hasn’t been the smoothest start to the season for Nottingham — but the 26-year-old has held firm throughout.
Nick Welsh, Manchester Storm (Defenceman)
Nobody expected the Storm to enter November as league leaders. But they are — and Nick Welsh deserves huge credit for their hot start.
The Canadian looks the part as Manchester’s number one defenceman, averaging 25 minutes time on ice while playing a solid game at both ends of the ice.
Welsh had six points (two goals, four assists) in nine Elite League and Challenge Cup appearances in October.
Mitchell Balmas, Sheffield Steelers (Forward)
Mitchell Balmas was only twice denied a place on the scoresheet in October, logging an offensive contribution in eight of his ten league and cup appearances.
Balmas’ best performance of the month came against the Coventry Blaze on 18 October, scoring a hattrick, including two goals at even-strength, in a 6-1 away win.
In total, the Canadian recorded 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in October.
Joey Martin, Cardiff Devils (Forward)
Age is just a number for Joey Martin.
The 37-year-old is still operating at the highest level for the Cardiff Devils, with six points (four goals, two assists) in seven games in October.
Martin marked his 500th Elite League appearance with a goal, netting on the powerplay versus the Steelers on 19 October.
Mitchell Fossier, Nottingham Panthers (Forward)
Mitchell Fossier, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
With 11 points (six goals, five assists) in nine appearances, Mitchell Fossier is clearly deserving of a spot in the Team of the Month.
The American remains one of the most dangerous forwards in the Elite League, as best demonstrated by his four-point performance in the Nottingham Panthers’ 5-0 win over the Cardiff Devils on 5 October.
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