2026-27 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[.357]

1 hour ago, brianvf said:

I'm guessing the only "right" situation for him would be a guaranteed NHL roster spot this fall.
If he signs and isn't ready to join the NHL club right away, he'd just be sent back to Prince George.
My thinking is that any NHL team is gonna be pretty happy with him getting better against NCAA competition for at least a year.
He hasn't even turned 18yo yet.  There's not many players like Schaefer that are NHL-ready at that age.

In the extended combine interview with various media outlets, he gave no indication of turning pro; all signs pointed towards him being at UND next year. But in this day & age, nothing should surprise the serious college hockey fan. Expect the unexpected. 

He has remarkable poise & maturity for a 17 yo and only needs a little tweaking before going to the Show. Listen to him talk & he exudes a calmness that you rarely see in people that young. The report on him is that he doesn't particularly pop at any certain part of the game, but that he does almost everything very well. 

Regarding Verhoeff, can see his game much improved next year. A) Being under the microscope of NHL scouts for a whole year in his DY has to be stressful. With that out of the way, would expect him to be more relaxed & confident in his game. Big load off his back. B) He will have had another year of growing into his big frame & I imagine his skating will be improved. C) Plus being paired with Carels, who (currently) processes the game a little quicker than him, should elevate his game, as well. There's good synergy between the two.

Of all the stacked teams next year, & there are many, would put UND with the best D; top 3 in goaltending; top 5 in F.

[atxsioux]

9 hours ago, .357 said:

In the extended combine interview with various media outlets, he gave no indication of turning pro; all signs pointed towards him being at UND next year. But in this day & age, nothing should surprise the serious college hockey fan. Expect the unexpected. 

He has remarkable poise & maturity for a 17 yo and only needs a little tweaking before going to the Show. Listen to him talk & he exudes a calmness that you rarely see in people that young. The report on him is that he doesn't particularly pop at any certain part of the game, but that he does almost everything very well. 

Regarding Verhoeff, can see his game much improved next year. A) Being under the microscope of NHL scouts for a whole year in his DY has to be stressful. With that out of the way, would expect him to be more relaxed & confident in his game. Big load off his back. B) He will have had another year of growing into his big frame & I imagine his skating will be improved. C) Plus being paired with Carels, who (currently) processes the game a little quicker than him, should elevate his game, as well. There's good synergy between the two.

Of all the stacked teams next year, & there are many, would put UND with the best D; top 3 in goaltending; top 5 in F.

Agreed on Verhoeff regarding the microscope. Plus along with that microscope he played in the Hlinka, WJC, and the U-18's, on top of playing the max length of college season you can play (outside of 1 game). Think he's earned a much deserved little break this summer to do a reset and refocus on his improvements which I'm confident he will.

[hockeytherapy13]

10 hours ago, .357 said:

In the extended combine interview with various media outlets, he gave no indication of turning pro; all signs pointed towards him being at UND next year. But in this day & age, nothing should surprise the serious college hockey fan. Expect the unexpected. 

He has remarkable poise & maturity for a 17 yo and only needs a little tweaking before going to the Show. Listen to him talk & he exudes a calmness that you rarely see in people that young. The report on him is that he doesn't particularly pop at any certain part of the game, but that he does almost everything very well. 

Regarding Verhoeff, can see his game much improved next year. A) Being under the microscope of NHL scouts for a whole year in his DY has to be stressful. With that out of the way, would expect him to be more relaxed & confident in his game. Big load off his back. B) He will have had another year of growing into his big frame & I imagine his skating will be improved. C) Plus being paired with Carels, who (currently) processes the game a little quicker than him, should elevate his game, as well. There's good synergy between the two.

Of all the stacked teams next year, & there are many, would put UND with the best D; top 3 in goaltending; top 5 in F.

I am hesitant to call our D corp #1 due to our youth. I think maybe by the end of the season that could be the case. But we've all seen how a young D corp, even if there are 3 separate 1st round picks can struggle when adjusting to the college game. 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

11 minutes ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

I am hesitant to call our D corp #1 due to our youth. I think maybe by the end of the season that could be the case. But we've all seen how a young D corp, even if there are 3 separate 1st round picks can struggle when adjusting to the college game. 

And a potential 4th 👀

[hockeytherapy13]

1 hour ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

And a potential 4th 👀

You thinking Mackenzie goes in the 1st round? 

[.357]

1 hour ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

I am hesitant to call our D corp #1 due to our youth. I think maybe by the end of the season that could be the case. But we've all seen how a young D corp, even if there are 3 separate 1st round picks can struggle when adjusting to the college game. 

Good point. Was basing my assessment in part of how well Carels & MacKenzie did against the best U20 players in the world at the WJC this year. Would put Verhoeff in the category of Emery in that it may take a little time for the game to come to him. But once it does, watch out; he could be dominant next year. Very good ambassador for the program, oozes character; & would guess that he played a part in selling UND to Carels because the two are pretty tight.

Would put Carels in the category of Laurila in that they both have ice running through their veins & don't get flustered as easily in high-pressure situations. If the freshmen D next year can be as ready-to-go as Laurila was last year, the learning curve should be small. Having talent is one thing, what you do with it is another: Simpson has a big task in getting them up-to-speed as quickly as possible. 

And like others have noted, MacKenzie should be a beast next year, the kid's a specimen & has a lot of swagger. 

[atxsioux]

2 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

You thinking Mackenzie goes in the 1st round? 

Based on this draft class I could see him going in the 25 - 32 range.

 

Based on his jump this year he’s as sure a thing as those other prospects in that range

 

If he hits he’s could be a solid 2/3 pair d man + if you think of teams in that range he could be ready to jump in to playing in 2 years as well since some of those teams are more of your cup contenders 

[Sioux90]

3 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

You thinking Mackenzie goes in the 1st round? 

I do

[tnt]

3 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

You thinking Mackenzie goes in the 1st round? 

That would really surprise me, although it only takes one team to really like him and what he did at the combine.

[hockeytherapy13]

3 hours ago, atxsioux said:

Based on this draft class I could see him going in the 25 - 32 range.

 

Based on his jump this year he’s as sure a thing as those other prospects in that range

 

If he hits he’s could be a solid 2/3 pair d man + if you think of teams in that range he could be ready to jump in to playing in 2 years as well since some of those teams are more of your cup contenders 

This might be a hot take but given his age and skating, I think he’ll be more valuable out of the gate than any other freshman, including Carels. I still think that Carels will be in our top pairing consistently by the end of the season, but Mackenzie is going to be rocking top 4 right away 

[scpa0305]

Until Carels is on campus there’s always concern. However, Rangers won’t be good next year and do have some dmen that could play. They didn’t rush Emery I doubt they’d rush Carels 

[scpa0305]

5 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

You thinking Mackenzie goes in the 1st round? 

No, he’s two years older than everyone else. I’d say second round max, most likely 3-4th.

[hockeytherapy13]

5 minutes ago, scpa0305 said:

No, he’s two years older than everyone else. I’d say second round max, most likely 3-4th.

That’s what I’m thinking too 

[stoneySIOUX]

26 minutes ago, scpa0305 said:

Until Carels is on campus there’s always concern. However, Rangers won’t be good next year and do have some dmen that could play. They didn’t rush Emery I doubt they’d rush Carels 

As a Rangers fan, I 100% agree with this and all the "pundits" are saying the same thing. Same with Verhoeff. They all seem to believe both players, if drafted, would benefit from a year (or two) with UND.

[atxsioux]

Looking ahead to the Hall of Fame Game vs MSU, curious to see who picks thay up on TV. For promo of the school would rather see it picked up by FS1 / Big Ten network honestly compared to Midco. (Guessing it’ll be Midco probably though)

[cberkas]

6 minutes ago, atxsioux said:

Looking ahead to the Hall of Fame Game vs MSU, curious to see who picks thay up on TV. For promo of the school would rather see it picked up by FS1 / Big Ten network honestly compared to Midco. (Guessing it’ll be Midco probably though)

Midco/NCHC.tv

Maybe UND does something like what Western Michigan is trying to do with their outdoor game. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

https://www.nhl.com/news/keaton-verhoeff-pushed-to-next-level-by-ncaa-move

[sioux rube]

 

[brianvf]

Kid is gonna be a stud at UND.

 

[nodakvindy]

On 6/13/2026 at 9:02 AM, cberkas said:

Midco/NCHC.tv

Maybe UND does something like what Western Michigan is trying to do with their outdoor game. 

Unfortunately it's a Saturday night so TSN is out. Would be great to get that game into Canada. 

[cberkas]

8 hours ago, nodakvindy said:

Unfortunately it's a Saturday night so TSN is out. Would be great to get that game into Canada. 

Sportsnet, but Canadians are not happy with Rogers right now. 

Since HNIC is gone, put the games on HNIC on the CBC

[nascar99]

 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Saw on EP that Verhoeff turns 18 today. Forgot that he was 16 when he committed, kid definitely has a good head on his shoulders

[.357]

Regarding Verhoeff, noticed on his IG that he's done some advertising for Chipotle. Because there's no Chipotle in Grand Forks, this sounds like some national advertising that he's doing. If so, imagine that it would be a good boost to his NIL reserves.

[SiouxForever]

50 minutes ago, .357 said:

Regarding Verhoeff, noticed on his IG that he's done some advertising for Chipotle. Because there's no Chipotle in Grand Forks, this sounds like some national advertising that he's doing. If so, imagine that it would be a good boost to his NIL reserves.

Fargo has 3-4 of them now.