A milestone for the Fighting Hawks
The University of North Dakota announced that six of its men's hockey players were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, a development that underscores the program's rising profile.
Four of those selections came in the opening round, a rarity that reflects the depth of talent on the roster and signals immediate impact for the professional ranks. The players were snapped up by franchises such as the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff made history as the first duo from UND to be chosen among the top ten in the same draft, a milestone that highlights the program's ability to produce elite prospects.
The Ruck twins, Liam and Markus, were celebrated as the highest‑drafted pair of twins since Henrik and Daniel Sedin in 1999, adding a narrative of sibling success to the draft story.
With 14 draft‑eligible players projected for the 2026‑27 roster, the most since the 2014‑15 season, the program expects to maintain a pipeline of NHL talent, a trend that could reshape recruiting and fan engagement in Grand Forks.