Canada Announces U18 World Hockey Championship Roster, WHL Talent Takes Centre Stage
Published: April 13, 2026
The University of North Dakota defenceman, Keaton Verhoeff, is set to lead Canada’s 23-man pre-tournament roster for the Under-18 World Hockey Championships, commencing on April 22nd in Slovakia. This highly anticipated tournament will showcase some of the brightest young talent in Canadian hockey, with a roster carefully selected by Team Canada general manager Alan Millar and head scout Byron Bonora.
A Deep and Talented Roster
The team boasts a strong lineup, comprised of 13 forwards, seven defencemen, and three goaltenders. Verhoeff’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy, following a strong season with the University of North Dakota and a recent Frozen Four appearance. Despite a narrow 2-1 loss to Wisconsin in the semifinals, Verhoeff’s performance has solidified his position as a top prospect.
Keaton Verhoeff: A Rising Star
The 6-foot-4, right-shot defenceman played a pivotal role in North Dakota’s successful 27-9-1 season, finishing as the No. 2 seed. He contributed six goals and 20 points in 36 games during his inaugural season of NCAA hockey. Verhoeff’s journey to the NCAA was facilitated by recent rule changes allowing Canadian Hockey League players to compete in college hockey, a move that has benefited both the player and the program.
Prior to his time at North Dakota, Verhoeff excelled in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Victoria Royals, where he registered an impressive 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games as a rookie in the 2024-25 campaign. His exceptional talent has led to projections of him being a high lottery pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Currently ranked No. 5 on TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button’s list, Verhoeff is a name to watch.
International Experience
Verhoeff isn’t new to representing Canada on the international stage. He was a key member of Canada’s bronze-medal-winning team at the 2026 World Juniors in Minnesota. He also captained Canada to a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was part of the gold-medal-winning team at the 2025 U-18 World Hockey Championships. He is one of only three returning players from last year’s U18 team, alongside defenceman Ryan Lin and forward Alesandro Di Iorio.
The roster also includes a significant number of players with recent international success, including 13 bronze medalists from the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 12 gold medalists from the 2025 World Hockey Challenge.
Looking Ahead
Hockey Canada anticipates further roster adjustments following the second round of the CHL playoffs, with the final roster to be announced prior to the tournament’s commencement. Canada will kick off their campaign on April 22nd against the host nation, Slovakia.
This team represents the future of Canadian hockey, and fans are eager to witness their performance on the world stage.
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