Projected top-5 pick Keaton Verhoeff believes the NCAA jump has him ready for next level

One of the players projected to be selected early at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is University of North Dakota defenceman Keaton Verhoeff. On Wednesday morning, Verhoeff joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to discuss his first season at the collegiate level, what he can bring to a NHL lineup and what it would mean to get to play his home games in his native country of Canada. 

Prior to joining the Fighting Hawks this season, Verhoeff spent time in the Western Hockey League as a member of the Victoria Royals. On Wednesday, Verhoeff touched on the differences he has seen between competing at the junior hockey and collegiate levels. 

“I think just the details. You go into every game, and you know it’s going to be a tough game, especially in the NCHC. Every game’s competitive with guys that have high skill and compete,” Verhoeff said. “These guys are all over the map, and it’s really just making sure that you are coming into every night prepared and willing to do the little things to win games, because in college every game’s so big and huge for your season.”

Come June, when it’s time for Verhoeff to be selected, scouts and management will have talked with and watched a bunch of games from his young career, trying to make sure they have a great understanding of the player they are selecting. Verhoeff spoke about what he thinks teams should know about the 17-year-old.  

“I think it’s just the way I’ve developed and matured this year. I think coming into this year, I was still a good defenceman, and I was able to create some stuff offensively, but I knew the area I really needed to develop was my defensive game and my ability to defend bigger and stronger players,” Verhoeff said. “I think having that competition against older guys was really huge for my development. I think I can be a strong two-way defenceman, play a responsible game that a coach can trust and play big minutes in crunch-time situations.” 

Four Canadian teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and Maple Leafs, find themselves in the bottom 10 spots in the NHL, leaving the possibility that Verhoeff could represent a team from the country where he was born. Verhoeff discussed what it would be like to don one of those jerseys. 

“That would be awesome. You look at all of the Canadian markets, the fans they have and how prestigious they are in that city. Coming from North Dakota, where the program that’s been built here is pretty special. The fans have pressure, and we feel it a bit, but it’s a good thing,” Verhoeff said. “Pressure is a privilege in the way that you come to the rink every day and put your best foot forward, so when game time comes, you can deliver for the fans. It’s fun playing in pressure, it’s fun playing in big games, and it’s important to note whenever I’m playing, I’m playing to win.” 

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