2026 NHL Draft’s Keaton Verhoeff breaks down the challenges of going from major junior to NCAA
With the NCAA allowing players with Canadian Hockey League experience to make the jump to American college hockey this year, many of the game’s top young stars elected to take the plunge.
One of the most notable names was defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, who left the Victoria Royals to play for the University of North Dakota. The 17-year-old has proven to be one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft, with his big 6-foot-4 frame and high-end offensive abilities making him a force early in his college tenure.
Leafs Morning Take hosts Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill chatted with Verhoeff to understand the challenges associated with the move up to college at a younger age:
Jay Rosehill: “You’re one of those few players who have now experienced NCAA hockey and major junior. Now that you’ve got some more college hockey under your belt, what are some of the big differences that you’ve noticed between the two?”
Keaton Verhoeff: “I think just the details. You go into every game, and you know every game’s going to be a tough game, especially in the NCHC here. Every game’s competitive. You’ve got guys who are high skill, high compete. You know, there are guys all over the map, and it’s really just making sure that you’re coming into every night prepared and willing to do the little things to win games because in college every game’s so big and so huge for your season.
“You really need to figure out how to string games together, especially going into these single-game elimination playoffs here. It’s high-pressure moments, and that’s what we’re born for and built for as hockey players. So it’s exciting.”
Jay Rosehill: “Keaton, obviously, it’s no secret, you’re a highly touted player for the draft here coming. Sooner or later here, when scouts are watching and trying to finalize where they rank you, what are some of the things that you hope they see from your game?
Keaton Verhoeff: “I think just the way I’ve developed and matured this year. I think coming into this year, I was still a good defenseman, and I was able to create some stuff offensively. And I think the area that I thought I really needed to develop at the start of the year was my defensive game and my ability to defend bigger and stronger players as well.
“And I think this year, having that competition against those older guys was really huge for my development. I think the way I can really just be a strong two-way defenseman and kind of play a responsible game that a coach can trust and really put out in big minutes and really the crunch time minutes as well.”
You can watch the full episode below: