COMMITTED UND Recruits

[brianvf]

UND commits kicking butt at the WJAC

 

[brianvf]

Updated Commit Stats as of Dec 14:

• Pilgrim (0-1-1), ASchultz (3-3-6), Sanderson (2-2-4), Lindberg (0-1-1) and Heil (1.45 / .933) are all competing in the WJAC tourney
• Williams heating up with 1-4-5 in his last 5 games

Forwards

• B. Schultz (USHL Sioux Falls) - '05: 26gp - 12g/11a
• Pilgrim (USHL Tri-City) - '06: 22gp - 7g/8a
• A. Schultz (USHL Chicago) - '06: 17gp - 8g/6a
• O'Neill (WHL Edmonton) - '07: 31gp - 13g/8a
• Sanderson (USHL Muskegon) - '07: 22gp - 8g/11a
• Simpson (USHL Youngstown) - '07: 28gp - 13g/24a
• Jundt (WHL Calgary) - '08: 26gp - 5g/2a
• Williams (WHL Saskatoon) - '08: 31gp - 12g/16a
• DeMars (WHL Penticton) - '09: 27gp - 3g/5a
• Grubb (SSM 18U Prep) - '09: 26gp - 6g/12a
• McKamey (WHL Victoria) - '09: 15gp - 1g/2a

Defensemen

• MacKenzie (WHL Edmonton) - '06: 30gp - 10g/21a
• Lindberg (USHL Fargo) - '07: 22gp - 3g/6a
• Penner (USHL Fargo) - '08: 14gp - 0g/0a

Goalies

• Heil (USHL Madison) - '06: 16gp - 2.60 / .891 (10-4-2)

[omahasioux1]

1 hour ago, brianvf said:

Updated Commit Stats as of Dec 14:

• Pilgrim (0-1-1), ASchultz (3-3-6), Sanderson (2-2-4), Lindberg (0-1-1) and Heil (1.45 / .933) are all competing in the WJAC tourney
• Williams heating up with 1-4-5 in his last 5 games

Forwards

• B. Schultz (USHL Sioux Falls) - '05: 26gp - 12g/11a
• Pilgrim (USHL Tri-City) - '06: 22gp - 7g/8a
• A. Schultz (USHL Chicago) - '06: 17gp - 8g/6a
• O'Neill (WHL Edmonton) - '07: 31gp - 13g/8a
• Sanderson (USHL Muskegon) - '07: 22gp - 8g/11a
• Simpson (USHL Youngstown) - '07: 28gp - 13g/24a
• Jundt (WHL Calgary) - '08: 26gp - 5g/2a
• Williams (WHL Saskatoon) - '08: 31gp - 12g/16a
• DeMars (WHL Penticton) - '09: 27gp - 3g/5a
• Grubb (SSM 18U Prep) - '09: 26gp - 6g/12a
• McKamey (WHL Victoria) - '09: 15gp - 1g/2a

Defensemen

• MacKenzie (WHL Edmonton) - '06: 30gp - 10g/21a
• Lindberg (USHL Fargo) - '07: 22gp - 3g/6a
• Penner (USHL Fargo) - '08: 14gp - 0g/0a

Goalies

• Heil (USHL Madison) - '06: 16gp - 2.60 / .891 (10-4-2)

Thank you for the weekly updates!!

 

[burd]

32 minutes ago, omahasioux1 said:

Thank you for the weekly updates!!

 

Yeah.  It may be updating , but it’s a lot of work

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

What’s the story on Mckamey? He 2 years away? Surprised to see 3 pts in 15 games

[brianvf]

20 minutes ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

What’s the story on Mckamey? He 2 years away? Surprised to see 3 pts in 15 games

I would guess he's coming in for 27/28.
He was injured for the beginning of the season and has had a slow start since returning.
He's still so young...only a 16yo in the WHL, he won't turn 17 until a month from now.  
He could still play another year with Victoria and then come in after he gets drafted like Reschny did.

[I Ranger]

12 hours ago, brianvf said:

I would guess he's coming in for 27/28.
He was injured for the beginning of the season and has had a slow start since returning.
He's still so young...only a 16yo in the WHL, he won't turn 17 until a month from now.  
He could still play another year with Victoria and then come in after he gets drafted like Reschny did.

Wow I didn't realize he was so young. I knew he accelerated and committed at an early age but didn't think he was still 16. I would think based on the way this season has gone and his age that it should be a no brainer for both parties that he plays at least another year of junior. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Love love LOVE the attention our current and future players are getting on the Canadian side of the WJC. EMac (give him #2 next year for EMC2) gets a good blurb here. Sounds like Verhoeff making the team is at the Sharks' discretion.

https://archive.is/2025.12.17-121221/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6885017/2025/12/17/canada-world-juniors-gavin-mckenna-camp/

[.357]

1 hour ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

...Sounds like Verhoeff making the team is at the Sharks' discretion.

https://archive.is/2025.12.17-121221/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6885017/2025/12/17/canada-world-juniors-gavin-mckenna-camp/

Not sure where you're getting that, maybe you meant to say Sam Dickinson from the Sharks, who still haven't decided if they'll loan him out.

From the article, it sounded like MacKenzie, Carels & Reid all had a better chance at making the team over Verhoeff; which would be somewhat surprising, as Verhoeff has had 2+ months of better competition than those three.

In an interview a couple days ago, MacKenzie was described by the team's defensive coach as being a complete player, quite the praise; whereas Verhoeff was described as a mature player who is {insert compliments here} but could polish his game some more. Reading between the lines from that coach's statements, it sounds like MacKenzie may be further along in his development than Verhoeff at this point.

Snippet from the article:

"On the back end, Jackson Smith and Keaton Verhoeff are the most likely to be cut. I’d guess that Smith is more likely the odd-man out (Canada has five lefties and four righties in camp, and so cutting Smith would give the team an even split), but it also sounds like they think Verhoeff has some work to do to polish his game, and he turned over some pucks in the scrimmages this week."

 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

21 minutes ago, .357 said:

Not sure where you're getting that, maybe you meant to say Sam Dickinson from the Sharks, who still haven't decided if they'll loan him out.

 

If the Sharks decide to let Dickinson go, Verhoeff is likely out. Sounds like we are saying the same thing with different semantics.

[LuvHockey]

Wouldn't bother me to get Verhoeff back here. With  chip on his shoulder to prove them wrong to release him.... 

[brianvf]

45 minutes ago, LuvHockey said:

Wouldn't bother me to get Verhoeff back here. With  chip on his shoulder to prove them wrong to release him.... 

While it’d be great to have him playing big minutes for the Mercyhurst series, I’d rather him get the experience and UND get the recruiting exposure at the WJC. 

[.357]

Line-up for Canada-Sweden game:

F
McKenna-Hage-Martin
Bear-Reschny-Cootes
Desnoyers-Luchanko-Greentree
Vanacker-O'Brien-O'Reilly

D
MacKenzie-Parekh
Aitcheson-Verhoeff
Reid-Smith
Carels

G
George (full game)

_________________________________________

UND's contingent will no doubt be treating it more than just an exhibition. Some players who are locks, like Martone, aren't playing.

[nascar99]

2 hours ago, .357 said:

Not sure where you're getting that, maybe you meant to say Sam Dickinson from the Sharks, who still haven't decided if they'll loan him out.

From the article, it sounded like MacKenzie, Carels & Reid all had a better chance at making the team over Verhoeff; which would be somewhat surprising, as Verhoeff has had 2+ months of better competition than those three.

In an interview a couple days ago, MacKenzie was described by the team's defensive coach as being a complete player, quite the praise; whereas Verhoeff was described as a mature player who is {insert compliments here} but could polish his game some more. Reading between the lines from that coach's statements, it sounds like MacKenzie may be further along in his development than Verhoeff at this point.

Snippet from the article:

"On the back end, Jackson Smith and Keaton Verhoeff are the most likely to be cut. I’d guess that Smith is more likely the odd-man out (Canada has five lefties and four righties in camp, and so cutting Smith would give the team an even split), but it also sounds like they think Verhoeff has some work to do to polish his game, and he turned over some pucks in the scrimmages this week."

 

Hockey Canada is still getting used to the fact that more talented World Junior eligible Canadians are playing against older better competition in the NCAA. Hockey Canada will still overvalue CHLers and their performances in junior for awhile until the mental adjustments take place

[.357]

3 hours ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

If the Sharks decide to let Dickinson go, Verhoeff is likely out. Sounds like we are saying the same thing with different semantics.

Would be more beneficial for NHL scouts to have Verhoeff make the team over Smith, so they can see how he performs in the most pressure-filled games of his young career in front of all of Canada before his draft. To see how much value their future widget could bring to their team. Provided that he performs well in the exhibitions, of course.  Plus he's a R-shot which would balance their lines more (Smith is an L-shot).

[brianvf]

MacKenzie getting some good press after the WJC Sweden pre-tourney game.  So is potential recruit Carels.
Reading on X that many felt that Verhoeff struggled more than the other Canadian dmen and could be one of the cuts.  We'll see...

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-world-juniors-top-standouts-from-canada-vs-sweden-pre-tourament-game

Quote

#5 Carson Carels, D (2026 NHL Draft): Carels feels like a lock right now. He played all situations for Canada, and nearly scored a goal on a great individual play in the third period. Carels usually plays close to 30 minutes a night, so today had to have felt like a cakewalk for him. His poise, hockey sense, and pure athleticism were impressive tonight.

Quote

#13 Ethan MacKenzie, D (Undrafted): MacKenzie was one of the bubble players heading into the tournament, but he looked really solid tonight. While some others were getting a bit loosey-goosey with the puck, MacKenzie rarely made a mistake with the puck on his stick. He did a good job of slowing things down and controlling the pace of play in his zone.

 

[scpa0305]

19 hours ago, .357 said:

Would be more beneficial for NHL scouts to have Verhoeff make the team over Smith, so they can see how he performs in the most pressure-filled games of his young career in front of all of Canada before his draft. To see how much value their future widget could bring to their team. Provided that he performs well in the exhibitions, of course.  Plus he's a R-shot which would balance their lines more (Smith is an L-shot).

Verhoeff snuck through, Mackenzie made it as expected. He looked really solid last night. Curious if he’s top 4 come the real games. Hopefully we get him for more than a year  

[nodakgirl93]

 

[.357]

32 minutes ago, scpa0305 said:

Verhoeff snuck through, 

It looks like he'll have to wait a few days to see whether Dickinson joins the team. 

A little surprised Carels & MacKenzie looked more comfortable out there compared to Verhoeff, considering Verhoeff has had 2+ months of faster & stronger competition in the NCAA compared to them. Maybe it was first-game jitters or Carels & MacKenzie are a little further along in their (mental) development of seeing the game better.(interesting that the 2 D from the NCAA--Verhoeff & Smith--had the weakest showings last night compared to the other D who are mostly in the CHL).

From what I've read, Verhoeff is still raw, & 3 more months of college hockey probably won't be enough time for him to be NHL-ready. Will see in the next exhibition if was just a case of nerves in his first game or if he's a little behind the other D in terms of development. At any rate, regardless if he makes the team & is mostly a healthy scratch, he's still gaining valuable experience which will help his time with UND in the second half.

[JakeLove]

My theory? Team Canada will prioritize CHL players until they consistently get their ass kicked during international play. Thus, McKenzie and Carels over Verhoef 

[nascar99]

1 hour ago, .357 said:

It looks like he'll have to wait a few days to see whether Dickinson joins the team. 

A little surprised Carels & MacKenzie looked more comfortable out there compared to Verhoeff, considering Verhoeff has had 2+ months of faster & stronger competition in the NCAA compared to them. Maybe it was first-game jitters or Carels & MacKenzie are a little further along in their (mental) development of seeing the game better.(interesting that the 2 D from the NCAA--Verhoeff & Smith--had the weakest showings last night compared to the other D who are mostly in the CHL).

From what I've read, Verhoeff is still raw, & 3 more months of college hockey probably won't be enough time for him to be NHL-ready. Will see in the next exhibition if was just a case of nerves in his first game or if he's a little behind the other D in terms of development. At any rate, regardless if he makes the team & is mostly a healthy scratch, he's still gaining valuable experience which will help his time with UND in the second half.

The junior style is much different than the NCAA style, hence why Smith and Verhoeff might have looked uncomfortable playing a different way. McKenna has been better playing the junior style in the past than the NCAA style now, so he flashed more in the clips I saw.