The Calgary Flames have the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and while we can likely rule out two players (McKenna, Stenberg), there's still plenty of talent heading into an event that could define the future of the Flames for years to come.
One of those players is Keaton Verhoeff, who came into this past season seen as a top-five talent in this draft, and after his freshman season at North Dakota alongside Flames prospect's Cole Reschny and Abram Wiebe, he's solidified himself in that position.
Pre Draft Production
Year | League | Team | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Points | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023/24 | WHL | Victoria Royals | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2024/25 | WHL | Victoria Royals | 63 | 21 | 24 | 45 | +23 |
2025/26 | NCHC | North Dakota | 36 | 6 | 14 | 20 | +7 |
2026 | WJC | Canada | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +4 |
Back in 2024/25 in his first full season in the WHL, Verhoeff flashed immense offensive upside, and while he never ascended to the next level, 21 goals in 63 games as a 16-year-old is impressive in a very good league. Then, he took off to North Dakota alongside Reschny, and after a slow start, he posted 20 points and a +7 differential against players significantly older and more developed physically.
Despite that jump in competition, Verhoeff continued to produce, and given the physicality, standing 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, it's easy to see why scouts have Verhoeff as one of the top five prospects heading into the draft.
Strengths
Offensively, Verhoeff's biggest strength is his consistency with a very impressive wrist shot and his one-timer, while the hockey IQ and the vision make him an intriguing player that could compete immediately at the next level, with plenty of those tools flashed in this shift.
Keaton Verhoeff has transitioned to the NCAA quite effectively. #2026NHLDraft
— Nathan "Grav" Murdock (@NathanGraviteh) October 28, 2025
His best looks have come off the PP. Love his positioning on the blue line, and some good tempo in transition.
Here's his intriguing PP shift, and goal, vs Clarkson: pic.twitter.com/9oBeGNHbe9
On the defensive end, Verhoeff has a body built for the modern day NHL, with his great stick, reach and physical tools that could make him a franchise defenseman for a team that's in need of one.
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