GRAND FORKS — NHL scouts and executives are flocking to UND hockey games this season in huge numbers.

At least 32 NHL scouts or executives attended Friday night's North Dakota-Minnesota rivalry game in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Twenty-three attended Saturday's series finale.

The main attraction: UND freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff.

The 17-year-old is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft and is expected to go near the top.

Verhoeff, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-shot defenseman, became the youngest player to suit up in a varsity hockey game at UND earlier this month. He has two goals and three points in his first four games.

"I think the more you play, the more comfortable you get," Verhoeff said. "For me, it's kind of been getting used to the pace, getting used to the physicality. But I th

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