D Keaton Verhoeff - Victoria Royals, WHL (2026 Draft)

[Mathieukferland]

My first time watching him live tonight, he is an absolute stud and has the complete package; skating, offensive instincts, positioning, physical, strong in battles, size. Lofty comparison perhaps but it’s the most Shea Weber-style prospect I’ve seen in a while

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

My first time watching him live tonight, he is an absolute stud and has the complete package; skating, offensive instincts, positioning, physical, strong in battles, size. Lofty comparison perhaps but it’s the most Shea Weber-style prospect I’ve seen in a while

How were his hands?

 

[Mathieukferland]

How were his hands?

Average, I wouldn’t say it’s the type of player that will stick handle and head fake through the opposition whether it be on the rush or walking the blue line like Dupont was attempting to do last night, but I think its less relevant to his play style in the way that it would be for a Pietrangelo type let’s say

 

[Alberta tough]

His skating needs work (has an odd stride/slow first couple of strides). The rest of his game looks good.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Wow, he is something else.

I think he'll be one of the main contenders for McKenna next year. Looks like the early top defenseman for 2026 I think.

He is so much improved since what I saw at the YOG. Has all the tools to be a potential 1D in the future.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Toe drag release

 

[Andy Dufresne]

That's what a top 10 nhl pick (at least) d-man looks like as a 16 year old in the whl. Not much to nitpick at here. Threw the puck away in traffic a few times. When he has any time and space he makes good smart decisions. Running his teams PP as a 16 is really impressive and not that common. Particularly for a 6'3" kid who projects to be a good defender at the next level:

 

[Mathieukferland]

Starts the play by activating and getting a pass to a dangerous area and finishes it by following up. 2 goals on the night. If it were not for the fact McKenna is there in 2026 I think he would be a first overall candidate in weaker drafts, the package is so complete and seeing him live in the WHC17 final I was so impressed

 

[MS]

Such an easy Alex Pietrangelo sort of projection with this player.

 

[Mathieukferland]

 

[landy92mack29]

It's Button but nice little video on Verhoeff. If it wasn't for McKenna he'd be the favourite atm for 1st. Agree with the Ekblad comp Button made but doing something right when you get compared to him, Pietrangelo or Weber haha.

 

[macbowes]

OT winner for Verhoeff, assisted by both of the Royals most recent trade acquisitions. Great feed to Isogai, looking off the pass, then nice instincts to go to the net to bury the rebound.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

OT winner for Verhoeff, assisted by both of the Royals most recent trade acquisitions. Great feed to Isogai, looking off the pass, then nice instincts to go to the net to bury the rebound.

I was at the game. He's an absolute stud in virtually all facets of the game. It's hard to believe a 16 year old 6'4 defenseman is this polished. He has minor warts here and there during but the total package is tantalizing...

Crazy part is how elusive and fast he is for a big kid, and how he makes decisions with the puck in tight space with his skating and hands

Offensive weapon and rock solid defensively

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Is there a chance he can give McKenna a run for his money next year?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Is there a chance he can give McKenna a run for his money next year?

Don’t see why not.

Probably unlikely to happen, but can he? Sure, there’s a lot of hockey to be played.

 

[pgfan66]

Certainly a few good years for the dub with Bedard, McKenna, Verhoeff, DuPont. 2025 the only “off-year” in terms of battling for 1st overall, but still possible to get 5 top-10 picks this year.

 

[PlayersLtd]

Was at the game and man, is he a complete player. Unbelievable for 16 and nice for the Royals to finally have a blue chip prospect after 10 years of league worst drafting.

I wonder how much playing with Kipkie and Misskey has helped or will help Verhoeff's development... Those or two solid leaders who both play a pretty pro game.

Will be interesting to watch Victoria down the stretch as they are now a very deep and talented team. Getting past PG and going to the final is well within the realm of possibility.

 

[Bubbles]

Will be interesting to watch Victoria down the stretch as they are now a very deep and talented team. Getting past PG and going to the final is well within the realm of possibility.

They are serious contenders. I think they have the deepest d-core in the league. And the trades have addressed their biggest issue, which was secondary scoring.

 

[macbowes]

Verhoeff with the game-tying goal in the 3rd, had another very strong game against the best team in the league (at least until these new Royals let everyone know). Getting 4 points in a home-at-home against Everett certifies the Royals as contenders, in my opinion.

 

[prongertheman9]

How do him and Dupont stack up against each other right now? I’m assuming they play slightly different games based on size alone but what is their overall impact? Are they both top pairing guys for their respective teams? Do they both have legitimate chances of being on the WJC team next year?

 

[Our Lady Peace]

How do him and Dupont stack up against each other right now? I’m assuming they play slightly different games based on size alone but what is their overall impact? Are they both top pairing guys for their respective teams? Do they both have legitimate chances of being on the WJC team next year?

IMO Verhoeff impacts the game with a more pace-like cerebral approach
E.g. Alex Pietrangelo

Been on the top pair most of the season up until recently where they paired him with Cosmo Wilson on the 2nd pair

IMO Dupont impacts the game in a fast paced, transition attack approach
E.g. Quinn Hughes

Everett uses his pair as the top pair and middle pair from game to game

Dupont at this point is a supreme talent considering he more than holds his own defensively while being immensely dangerous offensively

I would say Verhoeff has a solid chance to make the WJC team next year. Dupont, while he should be strongly considered as he's also good defensively, well, you just never know how their selection process is gonna go

 

[MeHateHe]

Is there a chance he can give McKenna a run for his money next year?

Let's pump the brakes. He's a very good, big 16-year-old, but he's in his first year of major junior and there's lots of story to be written first.

I like this kid's poise and confidence - how many 16-year-old defencemen are playing 3-on-3 overtime against the league's best teams? - and I'm not saying anything bad about him, but his major junior resume is about 40 games long.

 

[MeHateHe]

Another primary assist for Verhoeff last night in a 5-4 loss to Brandon at home. A play that didn't make the score sheet stood out for me. I was hoping it was in the highlight package but saldy not. Third period while 4-on-4, he literally ran over a Brandon defender at the blueline to generate a scoring opportunity, and then set himself up on the wing like he was a forward.

I think predictions about big 16-year-olds are fraught with peril, because Shane Wright, but this kid is often the best player on the ice - in his first year in the WHL. His confidence at that age is impressive, and the fact that Patrick has him out there in all situations says something too.