Keaton Verhoeff showed why he was the fourth overall player selected in the 2023 Western Hockey League prospects draft and is likely headed to the first round of the 2026 NHL draft with a jet pack.
The six-foot-four Victoria Royals blueliner was named WHL rookie player of the week for his three goals, four points and plus-six rating in the opening weekend of the season as Victoria swapped 5-4 overtime decisions with the Tri-City Americans as both clubs earned three points of a possible four to begin the campaign.
It was not only Verhoeff’s offence that was stellar but also his shot-blocking ability, including getting in the way of an Americans howitzer on Saturday night that appeared to hobble him for a bit at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
“My leg’s fine. The [overtime] loss hurts a bit more. I’m trying to do everything I can to help the team win,” said Verhoeff.
The 16-year-old prodigy shows maturity and pace beyond his years, but is careful not get ahead of himself, especially in terms of offensive production at such a tender age in the major-junior WHL.
“I’m not looking to be a top scorer in the league. I don’t strive for offence,” said the native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.
“I try to play the right way. If offence comes, good, But I’m just focused on making sure we’re playing strong in our defensive zone. If I get an opportunity to help the team offensively, I’ll take it. But I’m a defenceman so I’m looking to play D in front of my net in my zone. I’m looking to make sure we have a winning team here and do the best I can to help support the team anyway I can,”
That he certainly will be doing as one of the two cornerstones of the Royals’ future, along with Hlinka Gretzky Cup U-18 gold-medallist ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ forward Cole Reschny, who is projected by TSN 16th overall for the first round of the 2025 NHL draft.
“I think it [hype] is always going to be there. But I’m just focusing on my game and what I can do,” said Verhoeff, who did not look out of place last season playing 12 regular-season and four playoff games for the Royals as a mere 15-year-old.
“There are so many skilled players out here. I’ve got to keep on working and make sure I’m getting better so I can become a good defenceman in this league.”
Verhoeff represented ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ as assistant captain in the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, and maybe could one day skate in the real deal. He was coached at the Rink Hockey Academy in Kelowna by former Calgary Flames NHL legend Jarome Iginla, who as an Olympian recorded the greatest assist in Canadian hockey history to Sidney Crosby in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Verhoeff is coached in Victoria by another NHL veteran and Olympian in James Patrick.
But that kind of dream is many, many skate strokes away yet as Verhoeff is only getting started in Victoria.
“I think we showed this weekend what we are able to do while we were short guys [five players away at NHL camps]. This can be a competitive team by just playing the right way and finding our game,” he said.
“It’s early in the season, but once those guys come back, we’ll be really able to show the league what kind of team we are and have a great start to the season.”
The Royals open the road portion of the season Friday and Saturday nights in Kelowna and Kamloops, respectively, against the Rockets and Blazers (both 0-1).
ICE CHIPS: Koen Cleaver of Port Alberni, who blocks pucks for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, was named WHL goaltender of the opening week by turning away 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 overtime win in Red Deer against the Rebels to show why the 17-year-old is the among the most touted young goalkeepers in the league after the six-foot-two Islander backstopped ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ White to the gold medal in the 2023 World U-17 Hockey Challenge … Brandon forward Roger McQueen, a load at six-foot-five and ranked No. 6 for the 2025 NHL draft by TSN, was named WHL player of the week for his four goals and six points in two games for the Wheat Kings on opening weekend. McQueen and Verhoeff have something in common as fourth overall WHL prospects draft picks, with McQueen selected in that slot in 2021, and Verhoeff two years later.
