2026-27 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[Blackheart]

4 hours 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.

Got an autographed hat from Verhoeff for my birthday from fellow SiouxSports member, Mujack.  Apparently he was shooting his Chipotle commercial and the friend of a friend got him to sign a hat.

[sioux rube]

High praise for Keaton 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZuuBfQRKa3/?igsh=MXdybHFzejhrcW9zeA==

[brianvf]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7342287/2026/06/20/2026-nhl-draft-prospects-skills-tools-traits/?unlocked_article_code=1.rlA.Lf0d.dxX6mKsIRTlA&smid=ta-android-share

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Best skaters

1. Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
2. Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand
3. Ethan MacKenzie, D, Edmonton

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Best shot

1. Alberts Šmits, D, Jukurit
2. Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, Örebro Jr.
3. Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara
4. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota

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Best compete

1. Carson Carels, D, Prince George

 

[dustnyou]

Verhoeff on Spittin’ Chiclets tomorrow 

[The Sicatoka]

I still say a big RH D projected to be first pair in the show is worth more than 99.9% of forwards. 

[brianvf]

 

 

[sioux rube]

 

[cberkas]

27 minutes ago, sioux rube said:

 

Brad still waiting for his Skyline Chilli deal 

[brianvf]

https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/im-pumped-nhl-draft-prospects-carson-carels-keaton-verhoeff-reunite-in-north-dakota

Verhoeff and Carels reunite in GF.

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"I'm pumped – it's going to be awesome," Verhoeff said. "Playing with him and being around him, we've become pretty close. With our team next year, we have a great chance to win a national championship. We came to (Frozen Four host city) Vegas this year and fell short, and every guy was left with a sour taste. Even the new guys coming in have one goal. To play with guys you know and enjoy spending time with brings things to another level, too."

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The Manitoba native had a number of reasons for choosing North Dakota, and Verhoeff helped.

"Yeah, there was quite a bit of texting," Carels said. "We became great buddies after playing all those Team Canada events together. I wanted to go there, growing up near that area, heard about it a lot, and once I went down and saw how happy he was and meeting the coaches, it made my decision really easy."

 

[brianvf]

GF Herald article on all the media requests Verhoeff handled this past year:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/how-keaton-verhoeff-handled-the-pressures-of-being-a-top-nhl-prospect

[brianvf]

Does UND have to worry about Verhoeff or Carels signing after the draft?

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/nhl-draft-notes-does-und-have-to-worry-about-a-draft-pick-signing

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Although Verhoeff has indicated he will return to school for his sophomore season — and even posted UND photos on Instagram with the caption, "Story's Not Done" — could there be any reason for UND fans to worry that Verhoeff or Carels could sign NHL deals after the draft? UND coach Dane Jackson acknowledged there's always a possibility, but feels the Fighting Hawks are in a good spot.

"I believe those guys feel they have a good developmental pathway here," Jackson said. "They both understand, as defensemen, it's extremely hard to play in the NHL as an 18-year-old. It's always a small concern (they'll sign), but we believe we built relationships with those guys and they want to be here competing for a national championship."

 

[LuvHockey]

FYI only 98 days 20 hrs till puck drops 

[brianvf]

Articles on Carels (Winnipeg Free Press) and Verhoeff (GFH):

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/26/from-the-farm-to-the-flames

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/schlossman-keaton-verhoeff-waited-then-landed-in-ideal-situation

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“I think Calgary is a good spot. I think I’ll fit in quite well,” said Carels, who starred last year with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League and recently committed to attend the University of North Dakota this fall, assuming the Flames don’t deem him immediately NHL-ready.

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Verhoeff has indicated he plans to return to UND for his sophomore season, though he was non-committal about it in front of media in Buffalo. He said he still wanted to talk to the Sharks.

As a sophomore, Verhoeff should be an anchor for UND's young-but-talented defensive corps, which also will feature first-round picks in E.J. Emery (No. 30 overall, New York Rangers, 2024) and Carson Carels (No. 6 overall, Calgary Flames, 2026). Whether he turns pro in 2027 or 2028, he'll be going to an organization on the upswing.

I wouldn't mind if Keaton stuck around for his JR season as well...has worked out well for EJ.    

[cberkas]

https://youtu.be/fQpynfb1fSA?si=Yq7bAvV0gwLuU-gW

Keaton Verhoeff

[brianvf]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-lands-an-eight-spot-at-the-nhl-draft

Round 1, No. 6 — Carson Carels, D, Calgary ('26)
Round 1, No. 9 — Keaton Verhoeff, D, San Jose
Round 1, No. 22 — Liam Ruck, F, Pittsburgh ('27)
Round 2, No. 39 — Markus Ruck, F, Pittsburgh ('27)
Round 3, No. 69 — Ethan MacKenzie, D, Toronto ('26)
Round 4, No. 117 — Brayden Klimpke, D, Montreal ('27)
Round 5, No. 129 — Connor Davis, F, Vancouver ('26)
Round 5, No. 158 — Cooper Williams, F, Toronto ('27)

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"Obviously, it's exciting for our future to be able to get high-end, good players," Jackson said. "We put a lot of value on blue-collar, hard-working, two-way players, but you need guys with special ability, who can be difference-makers. We think a lot of those guys are coming."

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"It's going to be a great step," Carels said. "Obviously, it's a great league and it's a great place to be. That's kind of why I chose it, just because all those guys are loving it down there. It's going to be amazing. PG (Prince George) to North Dakota is a good step to make, so I can make another step in the future. That's kind of how it's looking lately, but we'll see how it all goes."

"Carson has a lot of leadership and a strong two-way game," Jackson said. "He's highly competitive. NHL guys are drawn to his tough, solid, mature game. There's just so much there. You knew it was quite likely he was going to go high. It's nice to have him go to a place like Calgary, where we have relationships. They've been happy with the development they've seen and what we've got going on at North Dakota. Hopefully, that's a positive as well."