Keaton Verhoeff Explains Decision To Leave WHL For NCAA

Aug 12, 2025

Keaton Verhoeff, Canada's captain at the ongoing Hlinka Gretzky Cup and projected second-overall pick at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, explained in a video interview his decision to leave the WHL's Victoria Royals to play college hockey for the University of North Dakota.

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.

thehockeynews.comCanadian Captain Keaton Verhoeff Explains Decision To Leave WHL For NCAA 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.