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. Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News [https://thehockeynews.com/whl]. 2026 Memorial Cup Preview: Kelowna Rockets [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/2026-memorial-cup-preview-kelowna-rockets] Episode 2 Recap: "Hawkeytown: Portland To The Pros" [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/game-day/episode-2-recap-hawkeytown-portland-to-the-pros] Everett Silvertips Forward Julius Miettinen Named 2026 WHL Playoff MVP [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/everett-silvertips-forward-julius-miettinen-named-2026-whl-playoff-mvp] Everett Silvertips Headed To 2026 Memorial Cup After 7-2 Game 5 Victory [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/game-day/everett-silvertips-headed-to-2026-memorial-cup-after-7-2-game-5-victory] Episode 1 Recap: "Hawkeytown: Portland To The Pros" [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/episode-1-recap-hawkeytown-portland-to-the-pros] Silvertips Inch One Win Closer To 2026 Memorial Cup Berth With 5-2 Game 4 Victory [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/game-day/silvertips-inch-one-win-closer-to-2026-memorial-cup-berth-with-5-2-game-4-victory] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*11e3hua*_ga*MTk0NDM0Mzk0OS4xNzQ2MjQ0ODA2*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjYzMzYxOTQkbzkwOSRnMSR0MTc2NjMzNzA3NyRqNTYkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1ad7a295-2dd0-4784-9fc4-dcccac9d4909.jpeg]
