The captain of Team Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup is defenseman Keaton Verhoeff from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., who is projected by many sources to be the second overall pick of next summer’s NHL Entry Draft behind Gavin McKenna.

“Whenever you get to wear the leaf on your chest, it’s just as big of an honor, but when you have a ‘C’ on top of it too, it’s an honor for me, my family, and even for the guys around me, I’m super honored to be leading them,” said Verhoeff.

Like McKenna, Verhoeff has made a decision that has only recently been available to Canadian Hockey League players – he’s moving to the NCAA. It was a tough decision, however, as there’s no existing blueprint for this path and no previous examples to follow.

He explained his decision to move from the Victoria Royals, the team that had the best record in the WHL’s B.C. Division last year, for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks, one of U.S. college hockey’s perennial powerhouses.

“Victoria was an awesome experience,” Verhoeff began. “A great place to play for the year. I learned so many things from the unbelievable coaching staff, my unbelievable teammates.”

Ryan Lin On Canada's D: 'It's Unreal; Any One Of Us Can Play With Anyone' Projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants is one of several elite defensemen on the Canadian team at this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Verhoeff praised veteran defensemen Justin Kipkie, Nate Misskie and Cosmo Wilson and head coach James Patrick, a former NHL defenseman.

“I have nothing but good things to say about Victoria, but for me, to experience an opportunity to go to North Dakota to have a surrounding staff there that are so knowledgeable about everything, from nutrition, physical treatment, the weightlifting … It’s all top-notch and professional. I think, for me, that was just too big of an opportunity to pass up.”

In all likelihood, Verhoeff will only be playing one season of college hockey.

“I’m trying not to focus too much on June but, obviously, it’s going to pop into the back of your head a bit,” he admitted, noting that he wants to “just take it day by day and focus on what I can control.”

Canada Edges Finland, Sweden Wins Big In Hlinka Gretzky Cup Openers Ethan Belchetz had three points and defensemen Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin had two points each, leading Canada to a 5-3 opening-day victory over Finland at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup’s Group A in Brno, Czechia.