""Big two-way defenceman," Verhoeff said. "I like defending. I take pride in my defensive zone, hard on guys in the D-zone. Then getting up the ice, I'm kinda able to transition the puck pretty quickly I think. Using my size and my shot in the offensive zone to create time and space and create some passing lanes and be able to wire the puck.""
"At 6-foot-4, 212 lbs., with the defensive abilities to back that big body, it's not hard to see where the interest from NHL teams comes from. Add to that his offensive contributions, and he'll be a slam dunk add for any team looking for a two-way presence on the blue line. Verhoeff recorded four goals and four assists in 12 games played with North Dakota. Last year with the WHL's Victoria Royals, Verhoeff put up 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games."
The Toronto Maple Leafs unexpectedly entered draft lottery talk despite preseason expectations and injuries affecting roster availability. Seventeen-year-old University of North Dakota defenceman Keaton Verhoeff described himself as a big two-way defender who prioritizes defending, transitions the puck quickly, and uses size and shot to create space offensively. Verhoeff stands 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, with four goals and four assists in 12 games for North Dakota and previous WHL totals of 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games. NHL teams show interest due to his defensive reliability and offensive upside. The movement from Canadian juniors to US college hockey could form a future NHL pipeline.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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