In early 2026 NHL Draft discussions, two names have dominated the headlines: Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff. The former, who surpassed Connor Bedard‘s draft-minus-one totals in the Western Hockey League (WHL), is a generational prospect—the numbers at all levels have been jaw-dropping.
Much more quietly, Verhoeff has a case for the “generational” label, too. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound defenseman had an exceptional 2024–25 campaign and has been a huge standout at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. While the right-shot blueliner might not get taken with the top pick, his future is brighter than he’s getting credit for.
I’m not the first to say it, but we may be looking at the best defensive prospect since Rasmus Dahlin. With a claim like that, let’s briefly dive into his game to see what the hype is all about.
Verhoeff’s Draft-Minus-One Season
As a 16-year-old defenseman, Verhoeff was a true game-breaker for the Victoria Royals last season. The numbers are partial evidence: he became the first WHL defenseman in four decades to have a 20-goal season at his age. With 45 points across 63 regular-season contests and an impressive playoff run to boot, stats alone prove his worth.
Related: 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini’s Way-Too-Early Top 32
Despite his youth, Verhoeff was a major difference-maker on a contending Victoria roster. Arguably the most valuable defenseman on a team that topped the B.C. Division with 91 points and advanced to the second round of the postseason, his stock is consequently through the roof. But that’s only a surface-level analysis—even the numbers don’t do him justice.
For Verhoeff, it’s more of a “watch to understand” ordeal. In preparation for the 2025 NHL Draft, I tuned into a few early-season Royals games to get a better understanding of what top prospect Cole Reschny—selected 18th by the Calgary Flames—had to offer. While he ended up being one of my favorites of last year’s class, the spotlight was often shared with Verhoeff. The two controlled the pace of games together.
Verhoeff’s impact came with his all-around skill set. Games flowed through him—shutting opponents down, breakout passes, and offensive zone support. His goal-scoring prowess proves his ability in the latter, but he was arguably most impressive defensively and in transition. He used his big frame and overall defensive acumen…
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