Sportsvival is ramping up its draft coverage as NHL teams finalize their boards, we’re profiling the elite 2026 prospects and tracking how their junior, NCAA, and international resumes shape their draft ceilings. Below is a full scouting dossier on right-shot defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, one of the most talked-about blueliners in this class.
Early Days
Birthplace and background: Keaton Verhoeff was born June 19, 2008, in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, and developed into a rare blend of size and mobility at a young age. He switched from goalie to defense at age 12, a late position change that helped unlock his offensive instincts from the back end.
Physical Profile
Height / Weight: 6’4” / 212 lbs- a prototypical frame for an NHL right-shot defenseman.
Skating & Tools: Fluid stride for his size with above-average acceleration and edgework that allow him to join and recover from rushes effectively.
Junior and NCAA Path
Verhoeff was selected early in WHL drafts and spent time with the Victoria Royals before moving to the NCAA, where he joined the University of North Dakota program as part of his development path. He’s viewed as a two-way defenseman who can log heavy minutes in all situations and has already been trusted in high-leverage roles at junior and international events. In 2024-2025 for Victoria, Verhoeff played 63 games and tallied 21 goals and 24 assists.
On-Ice Production & Impact
Two-way profile: Combines positional discipline with the willingness to activate offensively; he picks his moments to join the attack and possesses a powerful point shot.
Transition game: Excellent at defending the rush and quickly turning defense into offense with clean first passes and controlled breakout reads.
Special teams: Projects as a power-play quarterback at higher levels thanks to his shot and ability to move the puck under pressure.
2025/2026- As of 12-7-25, Verhoeff has four goals and seven assists in 16 games for the University of North Dakota.
International Resume
Verhoeff has been a fixture on Canada’s age-group radar and has performed well in international tournaments, reinforcing his status as a top defensive prospect for 2026.
Scouting Section
Positives
Size + Mobility: Rare combination that projects to NHL top-four minutes; his skating belies his 6’4” frame.
Defensive IQ: Reads plays early, defends the rush well, and shows strong gap control and stick work.
Offensive Tools: Powerful point shot and the vision to make the first pass out of danger; can quarterback a power play.
Negatives
Physical polish: While strong, he can still add functional strength to handle pro-level heavy forwards consistently.
Offensive consistency: Not yet a high-volume point producer at every level; his offensive upside is tied to how often he’s allowed to activate.
Pro Comparison
Rasmus Dahlin-lite meets a modern two-way right-shot: a rare blend of size, skating, and puck skill that invites comparisons to elite two-way No. 1 defensemen when projecting upside.
Sportsvival View
Projection:
Keaton Verhoeff is a top-5 lock in many boards and a legitimate candidate for a top-3 selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. His combination of size, skating, and two-way instincts gives him a high-floor and a very high ceiling; with continued strength gains and expanded offensive usage, he projects as a future top-pairing, right-shot defenseman for an NHL franchise