Keaton Verhoeff does not have any expectations for when he’ll be picked at the NHL draft.
“I have no clue,” the University of North Dakota defenceman said. “It’s so random. It could be anywhere. I mean, so much can happen on draft night. You never know what a team’s thinking and never know what’s going through their minds. It’s gonna be cool to see. It’s definitely gonna be a little bit nerve-wracking. I’m just excited to see what happens and to enjoy the moment.”
Verhoeff started the year No. 2 in TSN’s pre-season consensus draft rankings behind only Penn State winger Gavin McKenna. Both players experienced growing pains while making the adjustment from the Western Hockey League to the NCAA.
“Going into it you definitely know there’s a little more risk,” Verhoeff acknowledged. “But, for me, I think the biggest thing is I wanted to focus on challenging myself and developing. For the long-term benefit of my career, I think this was the right decision for me. I don’t regret going there. I really enjoyed my year. It was a good decision for me.”
But while McKenna remains the frontrunner to go first overall in Buffalo, Verhoeff’s stock appears to have dipped. The native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., is No. 9 on TSN director of scouting Craig Button‘s final list. TSN’s final draft consensus ranking will be unveiled on Monday at 10:30 am ET on TSN1/3/4.
Last season, Verhoeff scored 22 goals and produced 55 points in 74 combined regular-season and playoff games with the Victoria Royals. This year, Verhoeff finished with six goals and 20 points in 36 games at North Dakota.
Verhoeff, the youngest defenceman in the NCAA, was limited to three assists in the final 14 games as the Fighting Hawks fell in the semifinals at the Frozen Four.
“Lots of people look at my year and see the points in the first half versus the second half,” said Verhoeff, who just turned 18 on Friday. “But, I mean, our games got so much closer. Especially in the NCAA and in our conference, you can’t lose a game. You can’t go and play against a team that’s not ranked and drop one to them. You gotta be ready to play every single night in order to be in a good position for regional time. The biggest thing our coaching staff said to us is we’ve been playing playoff hockey since January. So kind of having that [mindset] and playing against those bigger guys and competing like that every single night definitely made me take steps in my defensive zone and my defensive habits and being able to mature my game.”
Regardless of the impact on his draft stock, Verhoeff believes he’s a much better player now versus at the start of the season.
“I’ve taken huge steps this year both as a player and as a person,” the 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-shot said. “Maturing my game and maturing off the ice as well. I took so many different steps on the ice and in becoming a more well-rounded defenceman and someone that’s really gonna be a player that can help a team win close games and be someone that can really be relied upon.”
During a conversation with TSN, Verhoeff spoke about the possibility of getting drafted by a Western Canadian team. He also shared what he learned from being at the Stanley Cup Final alongside other top prospects. The following is an edited transcript of the interview.
TSN: There are three Western Canadian teams picking in the top eight. What do you think it would be like to go to Vancouver, Calgary or Winnipeg and stay close to home?
Keaton Verhoeff: If you get picked to a Canadian franchise or somewhere that’s a little closer to home, it would be pretty cool. Any team that picks you it’s gonna be a pretty amazing opportunity and a pretty amazing moment. You dream of this for so long and to kind of see your name get pulled up on that board will be something that I definitely won’t forget.
TSN: How do you think you’d handle the spotlight in a Canadian market?
Keaton Verhoeff: It’d be exciting ... I got a little taste of it in North Dakota. Hockey is a big thing there and the fans love it. They’re gonna praise you when you’re playing good and they’re gonna give you a little bit of a tough time when you’re not playing great. So, we got a little bit of a taste of it and I loved it. The big saying is ‘Pressure is a privilege,’ and to have the opportunity to have that pressure and play in front of those fans that are super energetic and super passionate, it’s exciting. I remember being a fan sitting in Edmonton’s rink and watching those games and cheering so loud and also kind of giving it to [players] every now and then as well (smile). It’s gonna be cool whatever team picks me.
TSN: Would it be weird going to Calgary and switching sides in the Battle of Alberta?
Keaton Verhoeff: I don’t think too hard. I was talking with [Cole] Reschny, he’s my roommate in North Dakota and I played with him the past two years, and he grew up an Oilers fan too and then got drafted by the Flames and he made the switch pretty easily. I even kind of made a little bit of a switch this year (smile). Not really. I was definitely still an Oilers fan, but I was cheering for [North Dakota teammate Abram] Wiebe at the end of the year. Wiebe signed in Calgary, so I was cheering for him. But definitely still an Oilers fan for a couple more days (smile).
TSN: Watching and cheering for Connor McDavid all these years, what do you think it would be like to play him one day soon? What would be your approach?
Keaton Verhoeff: Yeah, I don’t know (smile). Ask for help, probably. It would be pretty cool to see him coming down. I think I’d be shaking in my boots. I mean, you see all that speed coming at you and those hands. It’s pretty funny when you watch him at home in Edmonton because every time he touches the puck the crowd kind of does an ‘oooh’ or an ‘ahhh.’ They get pretty excited when he touches the puck. So it’d be cool to see him coming down on me and hoping I’d be able to not get embarrassed and then also to get the puck out of his hands.
TSN: McDavid didn’t make it back to the Stanley Cup Final this year, but you were there as a guest of the NHL alongside other top prospects. What will you remember most about that experience?
Keaton Verhoeff: It was special. Going to Vegas and watching Game 4, it was pretty cool. The atmosphere was pretty cool, but the time with those guys and getting to know all those guys, that’s probably something I’ll remember the most.
TSN: What’s the atmosphere like in Vegas?
Keaton Verhoeff: It’s different. I mean, it’s Vegas, the lights, the action, everything’s going on. They’re really entertaining you there. The fans are so unique as well. We were talking with a guy that was sitting right beside us and he said he never watched hockey up until 2018 when Vegas got a team and now he’s a season ticket holder. Just the fans they have are unique so that kind of brings a different type of energy to it.
TSN: What’s the best atmosphere you’ve played in?
Keaton Verhoeff: Probably at home in North Dakota at the Ralph [Engelstad Arena]. It’s pretty cool there when it gets rocking and our fans are really, really loud and cheering for us.
TSN: What impact does that have on you?
Keaton Verhoeff: It’s fun. Playing in front of those big crowds in those big moments, the high-pressure situations, that’s when the best comes out and when it’s the most exciting hockey. Playing in front of those big crowds and those fans that really are rooting for you, it puts some pressure on you, it’s fun and exciting.
TSN: You attended Vegas’ practice and I know Soo Greyhounds defenceman Chase Reid seemed enamoured with Jack Eichel. Was there a player that stood out to you?
Keaton Verhoeff: It’s pretty cool to watch those guys. The passes were so crisp and tape-to-tape. But, yeah, I think there’s lots of guys. I think Eichel’s pretty cool to watch and [Logan] Stankoven as well. Getting to meet them a little bit behind the scenes and see what kind of people they are and see the kind of character they have is cool with the jokes they are laying and stuff like that. And then you see them in game and it’s pretty serious. It’s fun to see the two different sides.
TSN: Did you have a favourite interaction?
Keaton Verhoeff: When we were in Vegas’ locker room, it’s pretty funny that they were chirping each other and just being relaxed. I mean, they’re in a Stanley Cup Final and they’re just able to joke around and be relaxed.
TSN: What’s a good chirp you heard?
Keaton Verhoeff: I don’t remember exactly but there’s some good ones. They’re not just experienced on the ice, they have some experience in chirping as well (smile).
TSN: What’s your chirping game like?
Keaton Verhoeff: Oh, it’s terrible. I’m awful (laughs). I’m no good. I’m pretty simple and I don’t think it’s very effective. I try to just let my play speak for itself and not do too much talking on the ice.
TSN: On the bus ride to the Vegas practice facility there was a lot of talk about the cars players drive in the NHL. Do you have a car in mind for once you make it to the show?
Keaton Verhoeff: Not really. I’m not too dialled in on the car scene ... I think Eichel had a Maserati and Reider was pretty stoked about that.
TSN: The Hurricanes won the game you guys attended and then, of course, won the next two as well. What impressed you about Carolina?
Keaton Verhoeff: They’re relentless. Watching their style play and the way they kind of kept coming despite being in an away environment and having the crowd play a factor, and they really just took control of the game early on.
TSN: You mentioned you got to know your fellow prospects a bit better on the trip so I wanted to play a little word association with you. First up, Chase Reid. What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think of him?
Keaton Verhoeff: Jack Eichel (smile).
TSN: Why?
Keaton Verhoeff: He was loving him. We’re going through and watching the game and watching the practice and all he was talking about was Jack Eichel. But, I mean, realistically, other words for him are relaxed and fun. He’s fun to be around and just kind of a pretty chill guy.
TSN: What about Brantford Bulldogs centre Caleb Malhotra?
Keaton Verhoeff: I’d say ‘slotted.’ Ah, me and him were making jokes about this golf guy on Instagram and we kept on saying that word and we were trying to mix it into one of our interviews. So hopefully he sees this one.
TSN: Did he get it into an interview?
Keaton Verhoeff: I don’t think either of us did. We might have got it in on a smaller-scale interview, but not on one of the bigger ones.
TSN: Okay, you got it in here. What about Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels?
Keaton Verhoeff: Energetic. He’s exciting to be around and always a guy that likes to be at the rink and likes to be around the guys and hang out with people and talk with them. Obviously I’ve got a little more of a relationship with him through Hockey Canada and with him coming to North Dakota next year. He’s a fun guy to be around and a super energetic guy.
TSN: What about Jukurit/Munich defenceman Alberts Smits?
Keaton Verhoeff: Serious. We were making jokes and saying he never smiled and then he’d crack a few smiles and jokes. He’s a funny guy. I never really met him before, but getting to know him was super cool. He was a super funny guy. Whether we were hanging out at the pool or going on a walk, he was always there with a serious face on. But, no, he would smile every now and then. It was fun.
TSN: What makes him laugh? Like, what did you finally do?
Keaton Verhoeff: I don’t know. It’s tough. Sometimes you gotta throw out some random stuff and hope it lands. But sometimes you get just a glare and it’s like, ah, that one didn’t go well.
TSN: So you had the Stanley Cup final experience and now the draft is days away. What’s your sense of anticipation?
Keaton Verhoeff: I’m super excited. I mean, it’s been 18 years of looking and watching the drafts and seeing guys get selected and even the past couple years kind of builds it up, the anticipation, a little bit more. I remember two years ago watching the ’06 [born] draft and thinking, ‘Oh, I still got a lot of time,’ and now to think that my draft’s in a couple days is pretty exciting. It’s gonna be a cool moment to celebrate with my friends and family. The anticipation is definitely building up and the excitement is getting up there and nerves are coming in a bit. But I think, at this point, it’s just more excitement about seeing where I land and to see where the journey begins.
TSN: What song did you choose to play when you’re drafted?
Keaton Verhoeff: I submitted two. ‘Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma’ [by Luke Combs] from that movie Twisters and then ‘Starlight’ by Jon Pardi.
TSN: What’s the meaning behind the songs?
Keaton Verhoeff: There’s not too much meaning. It’s just two songs I like and I think would sound pretty cool. But Pardi’s been a guy that I really liked growing up, and having country music as well is cool. Growing up in Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta, it’s a little more of a country town, so country music reminds me of my roots a bit.
