Elite Prince George Cougars defenceman and projected 2026 NHL lottery pick Carson Carels is committing to the University of North Dakota for next season.
The University of North Dakota has landed one of the premier blue-line prospects.
On Monday, Prince George Cougars star defenceman Carson Carels officially committed to play for the UND Fighting Hawks next season.
Carels, 17, is widely projected to be a lottery pick in next month's 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The 6-foot-2, 198-pound native of Cypress River, Manitoba, put together a spectacular 2025-26 campaign in the WHL. Carels racked up 20 goals and 73 points in just 60 regular-season games for Prince George, establishing himself as a physical, puck-moving force on the back end.
The Cougars reached the second round of the WHL playoffs before falling to Penticton in six games. Carels tallied 10 points in 10 WHL Playoff contests.
Carels was also the youngest player on Canada’s bronze-medal-winning 2026 World Junior Championship team.
Throughout his WHL career, Carels has racked up 111 points in 125 gaqmes, spanning across three seasons.
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