September is in the books and the stage is set for another scintillating Elite League season.
Nobody survived the month unbeaten, though the Cardiff Devils lead the way in only being beaten once.
And everything is still to play for: only two regular-season fixtures have been played, with the Challenge Cup group phase dominating the opening weeks of the campaign.
It’s still early, but the year’s protagonists are already emerging.
In the East Midlands, Chase Pearson is on a hot streak — and the Nottingham Panthers are loving every minute of it.
Across the border, the Cardiff Devils’ other-worldly top defensive pair is tearing up trees.
But the storylines don’t stop there.
With that, let’s dive into our Elite League Team of the Month selections for September.
Elite League Team of the Month: September 2025
Chase Pearson, Nottingham Panthers (Forward)
Chase Pearson, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
If not for Pearson’s standout offensive contributions, the Panthers would be sitting at the foot of the form table.
The American has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in seven games, a league-leading haul, including a hattrick in Nottingham’s 6-5 win over the Guildford Flames on 27 September.
Centring the Panthers’ second-line, Pearson’s early-season chemistry with Brendan Harris and Matthew Marcinew is commendable — and has powered all three of the team’s wins.
The 28-year-old’s biggest flaw, and the reason he isn’t trusted with first-line assignments, is that he struggles in the face-off circle.
He is 61-76 to start the campaign — not terrible, but certainly an area to address.
Even so, Pearson is more than deserving of a place in the September Team of the Month.
Tristin Langan, Glasgow Clan (Forward)
Tristin Langan is yet to be held off the scoresheet as a member of the Glasgow Clan.
With 12 points (six goals, six assists) in seven appearances, the 26-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the Elite League’s biggest weapons.
His best performance came on 20 September, when he scored twice and provided an assist in Glasgow’s 6-5 win over the Dundee Stars.
Above water in the face-off circle (53-43), Langan is making his mark in all three zones.
Evan Jasper, Sheffield Steelers (Forward)
Evan Jasper will sneak under the radar, running on the Sheffield Steelers’ third line, but not in this column.
The 33-year-old is off to a hot start to his Elite League career, tallying seven points (one goal, six assists) in seven appearances.
Jasper, despite averaging a relatively limited 14 minutes of ice time per game, is making his mark from the middle-six, with three assists in Sheffield’s 4-3 overtime win versus the Guildford Flames on 28 September.
He’s found early rhythm alongside Robert Dowd and Sam Tremblay, which bodes well for Aaron Fox as he seeks to recapture domestic silverware after taking a step back last term.
Brandon Estes, Cardiff Devils (Defenceman)
Brandon Estes might just be the player of the month.
The 28-year-old has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in six games for the Cardiff Devils — a remarkable feat for a defenceman.
And Estes’ offensive production is only part of his appeal.
The American is playing exceptionally at both ends of the ice, averaging 27:31 time on ice alongside Jimmy Oligny on Cardiff’s top pair.
He’s plus-seven on the season, with four blocked shots, and 24 shots on goal.
Leading the Elite League’s stingiest defence (the Devils have conceded only nine goals so far), Estes is an early signing of the season contender.
Mike Lee, Belfast Giants (Defenceman)
Mike Lee has picked up where he left off in Belfast.
With seven points (two goals, five assists) in six games, the American remains an offensive play-driver from the backend.
But, much like Estes in Cardiff, he is also playing a smart defensive game.
He’s plus-six on the season, with six blocked shorts, while averaging 23 minutes of ice time.
While the Giants are yet to fully hit their stride, Lee remains a standout figure on the blueline.
Mat Robson, Coventry Blaze (Netminder)
Mat Robson is a phenom.
The Coventry Blaze netminder has already made 211 saves (on 222 shots) and kept a shutout.
Backstopping the Blaze to three wins in five starts, Robson has faced more than his fair share of high-danger scoring chances — and yet still upholds a steamy .951 save percentage.
He ranks second in the league in that metric, behind Ben Bowns (.952), who has faced only 83 shots and has played two fewer games.
When I spoke to Kevin Moore in preseason, he told me that Robson is the league’s best netminder.
After the season’s first month, his argument holds weight.
