Verhoeff's Draft Diary: UND's Young Star

For the NHL, it's March 20th.

Here's what's happening.

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Keaton Verhoef, a 17-year-old freshman defenseman at the University of North Dakota, is kicking

off a draft diary for NHL.com this season.

The 6-with-3-208-pound player from Fortesyskatchewan, Alberta, ranks number 2 on NHL Central Scouting's

midterm list of North.

American skaters for the 2026 draft.

He's one of the youngest and men's college hockey, and already turning heads in the National

Collegiate Hockey Conference.

This season, Verhoef has 20 points with 6 goals and 14 assists, plus 42 block shots and

63 shots on goal over, 33 games.

Last year in the Western Hockey League with Victoria, he posted 45 points in 63 games, including

the 3rd most goals ever by A.

Defenseman, that young, in Lee history.

His team started slow with a young roster full of freshmen and transfers, but found their

rhythm and now looks like a real contender for the national title.

Verhoef says they've improved week by week despite the ups and downs.

He's focused on sharpening his defensive game against tougher, older opponents, using

his size to shut down plays.

That growth could pave the way to pro hockey, though he knows there's more work ahead.

This can follow his journey right up to the 2026 draft in Buffalo, New York, where the

Scouting Combine will give him a first taste of the city alongside family and friends.