COMMITTED UND Recruits

[tnt]

It is no surprise why college hockey is so competitive now.  So very many great players that opinions vary greatly as to who is better.  When there is that minuscule difference, compete level is everything.  
It is also why just looking at point production at each level isn’t always the greatest barometer of success at the next level, but for most of us, that’s all we have to judge players on.  Thankfully, we can now watch more streaming of potential recruits.  Exciting era for college hockey.

[.357]

12 hours ago, nascar99 said:

Nope, Craig Conroy played at Clarkson, he knows the benefits of the NCAA route.

You're probably right, but listening to Carels do media interviews post-draft leaves a lot to be desired from a UND fan's perspective. He's basically been insinuating that if there's a good chance of making Calgary's team this year he would be taking that path. A month ago had him pegged him at 90/10 UND this year; listening to him now, 70/30 odds of being at UND. 

[brianvf]

41 minutes ago, .357 said:

You're probably right, but listening to Carels do media interviews post-draft leaves a lot to be desired from a UND fan's perspective. He's basically been insinuating that if there's a good chance of making Calgary's team this year he would be taking that path. A month ago had him pegged him at 90/10 UND this year; listening to him now, 70/30 odds of being at UND. 

I'd go higher than that. 
Carson just turned 18yo four days ago.  He's one of the most NHL-ready of any of the D prospects in this year's draft, but he's still so young.  Not many 18yo dmen in the NHL right now outside of Schaefer.  Calgary is going to want to see how he does with moving up a level and how he handles it.  Look at how dominant Verhoeff was in the Dub and the adjustment needed last year when he moved up to the NCAA.  Calgary has shown to be patient with NCAA prospects (Reschny comes to mind).
I'm betting we see him line up on campus this fall in the Green N White.   

[Big A HG]

46 minutes ago, .357 said:

You're probably right, but listening to Carels do media interviews post-draft leaves a lot to be desired from a UND fan's perspective. He's basically been insinuating that if there's a good chance of making Calgary's team this year he would be taking that path. A month ago had him pegged him at 90/10 UND this year; listening to him now, 70/30 odds of being at UND. 

 

Getting drafted may be the most exciting part of a young hockey player's career.  After all these years, they are now a part of an organization.  I can only imagine how much your mind races and all the dreams you have stored up finally on the cusp of coming to fruition in those first moments of wearing your new organization's sweater.  Once that high wears off a little bit and some more common-sense discussions take place, things will settle into where they may.  I can't imagine there are many NHL organizations who aren't okay with one of their 18 year olds going to play a year in college with the talent level they can compete with and against, especially at UND in the NCHC.  

[tnt]

55 minutes ago, Big A HG said:

 

Getting drafted may be the most exciting part of a young hockey player's career.  After all these years, they are now a part of an organization.  I can only imagine how much your mind races and all the dreams you have stored up finally on the cusp of coming to fruition in those first moments of wearing your new organization's sweater.  Once that high wears off a little bit and some more common-sense discussions take place, things will settle into where they may.  I can't imagine there are many NHL organizations who aren't okay with one of their 18 year olds going to play a year in college with the talent level they can compete with and against, especially at UND in the NCHC.  

Especially when Calgary was patient with Zayne Parekh who was dominant in the World Juniors last year while Verhoeff and Carels played just a little.  Seems to me that it is time for Verhoeff, Carels and Reschny to make that next progression in college then play for Canada at the World Juniors held in their home country this year.  

If Carels makes the transition to college seamlessly, it will become apparent, and he can always play with Calgary after the college season is done for a few games.

[cberkas]

20 minutes ago, tnt said:

Especially when Calgary was patient with Zayne Parekh who was dominant in the World Juniors last year while Verhoeff and Carels played just a little.  Seems to me that it is time for Verhoeff, Carels and Reschny to make that next progression in college then play for Canada at the World Juniors held in their home country this year.  

If Carels makes the transition to college seamlessly, it will become apparent, and he can always play with Calgary after the college season is done for a few games.

The way Hockey Canada does things I wouldn't be surprised if Reschny isn't on team Canada for the WJC. 

[siouxweet]

I won't feel comfortable with any of these guys until Oct 3 rolls around and they are suited up for UND.  

[atxsioux]

9 hours ago, thUNDer said:

This lag so annoying but NHL network doing a bang up job but for Granato

Granato really proves any past Wisco fan incompetence theories about him once he opens up his mouth. He talks like he’s out to lunch lol

[brianvf]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/ruck-twins-wishes-come-true-as-both-are-selected-by-the-pittsburgh-penguins

Quote

"It's a unique situation," said UND coach Dane Jackson, who was in Buffalo for the draft. "I think the fact that they and their reps made it so clear that they were set on playing in the same spot, they did dictate that a little bit. Teams knew they weren't just hoping, but it was important to them. The free agent rules through college could have dictated a situation down the road. I'm so happy for them. They're special young guys. It's cool to see them continue their path together for hopefully years to come."

Dane was secretly hoping that different teams would draft them to keep them in college a bit longer.    

Quote

"We thought it was going to be the best development path," Markus said about the twins' recent commitments to UND. "And we're also going to win there. Those are the two most important things. We want to develop as players and we want to win."

 

[sioux rube]

 

[Und Princess]

Good Afternoon UND Fans! Happy Sunday! How are you doing today? I have decided to separate the UND Hockey at the NHL Draft blog into two parts. The UND at NHL Draft First Round just came out! UND at NHL Draft Round 2-7 will be released tomorrow! I hope you enjoy reading it!

https://ftstspotlight.blogspot.com/2026/06/triple-1st-round-draft-picks-double.html?m=1

Go North Dakota!

Und Princess 

[atxsioux]

Scott Wheeler mentioned on the athletic’s pod recapping the draft that Carels had considered going pro this year but that he’s locked in on going to Nodak now

[SIOUXFAN97]

people are forgetting that when you GO to UND your pretty much going pro.....

one year will help...(or2?)

[sioux rube]

1 hour ago, atxsioux said:

Scott Wheeler mentioned on the athletic’s pod recapping the draft that Carels had considered going pro this year but that he’s locked in on going to Nodak now

Hopefully he doesn’t pull an Okposo and leave after Christmas 

[NDinCO]

1 hour ago, sioux rube said:

Hopefully he doesn’t pull an Okposo and leave after Christmas 

Pulled this from wiki...   Okposo's decision to leave school was considered controversial by some. As a response to questioning, Islanders general manager Garth Snow told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune "Quite frankly, we weren't happy with the program. They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that."

Don't think we have to worry about that...

[TwamleyShuffle]

1 hour ago, sioux rube said:

Hopefully he doesn’t pull an Okposo and leave after Christmas 

I feel as long as the vibes are good and the team is doing well he will stay for the entire season. No one wants to leave their team mid season

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/three-winners-and-losers-of-the-2026-nhl-draft-sharks-win-big-american-prospects-fall

Don't bother with Pittsburgh Post Gazette's coverage of the Rucks. If I didn't know better I'd assume they don't have any college hockey locally.

[sioux rube]

13 minutes ago, NDinCO said:

Pulled this from wiki...   Okposo's decision to leave school was considered controversial by some. As a response to questioning, Islanders general manager Garth Snow told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune "Quite frankly, we weren't happy with the program. They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that."

Don't think we have to worry about that...

I do remember that now

[brianvf]

1 hour ago, sioux rube said:

Hopefully he doesn’t pull an Okposo and leave after Christmas 

That will 195% not happen.

[cberkas]

14 minutes ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/three-winners-and-losers-of-the-2026-nhl-draft-sharks-win-big-american-prospects-fall

Don't bother with Pittsburgh Post Gazette's coverage of the Rucks. If I didn't know better I'd assume they don't have any college hockey locally.

Robert Morris

[powerplay]

On 6/26/2026 at 3:37 PM, powerplay said:

How about the Ruck twins over under 59.5

Not a bad line eh? Maybe I need to go make some money in Vegas like Ralph