Buffalo to Host the 2026 NHL Draft
The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft will kick off on Friday evening in Buffalo, New York, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, setting the stage for a weekend that will stretch into Saturday morning with rounds two through seven beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET.
The University of North Dakota’s hockey program has become a fixture in the draft conversation, having produced at least one selected player every year since 1999 and boasting a total of 209 all‑time draft picks, the second‑most of any college program.
UND’s Draft‑Ready Talent
This year, six Fighting Hawks stand out as the most likely to hear their names called: Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff, Liam Ruck, Markus Ruck, Ethan MacKenzie and Connor Davis. Each brings a distinct skill set that scouts have praised throughout the prospect season.
Coach Brad Berry’s squad has enjoyed a resurgence, posting back‑to‑back 30‑win seasons and climbing to fifth nationally in all‑time first‑round selections with 24. The program’s consistency is underscored by a streak of drafting at least one player in each of the last three drafts, including six selections in 2025.
Historical patterns suggest that UND could again break new ground. The last time the program saw three consecutive first‑round picks spanned 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the only instance of three first‑rounders in a single draft occurred in 2005. If the current crop replicates that momentum, Buffalo could witness a new chapter for the Fighting Hawks.
What It Means for the Program
Beyond the individual prospects, the draft serves as a recruiting boon. A steady pipeline of NHL‑bound talent helps attract top junior players to Grand Forks, reinforcing the program’s reputation as a development hub.
The excitement also reverberates through the fan base, with local businesses and the university’s athletic department preparing events and watch parties to celebrate the potential selections.
As the draft unfolds, the focus will shift from speculation to the concrete outcomes that will shape the next generation of NHL rosters, with UND poised to add another chapter to its storied draft legacy.