MINNEAPOLIS — UND freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff has not yet played in the World Junior Championship for Team Canada.
The Canadians used the same group of forwards and defensemen in their 7-5 win over Czechia on Friday and 2-1 overtime win over Latvia on Saturday.
But head coach Dale Hunter says he’s not opposed to changing things up.
When asked after Saturday’s game if he’d consider using Canada’s scratches — Verhoeff and winger Carter Bear — Hunter indicated it’s possible.
“I’d never say (the lineup) is in cement,” Hunter said. “I will re-evaluate by the next game.”
Canada has Sunday off.
Canada plays Denmark at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Finland at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to close out pool play.
The Canadians haven’t officially registered Verhoeff or Bear with the IIHF yet. Until that’s done, neither are able to play.
Canada has refrained from registering them to remain flexible in case there’s a wave of injuries. In that event, Canada could bring in someone who is not currently with the team.
Not every team operates that way, though. The United States registered its entire roster before the tournament.
Registering players isn’t a difficult process. Canada registered goalie Josh Ravensbergen before Saturday’s game against Latvia.
Verhoeff, 17, is one of the youngest defensemen Canada has ever brought to the World Juniors. If he plays, he will become the sixth-youngest Canadian World Junior defenseman ever.
But he’s one of the top prospects for his age group in the world.
The 6-foot-4 defenseman from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
He’s excelled this season at UND against older players in NCAA hockey. He’s scored four goals and tallied 11 points in 16 games for the No. 4-ranked Fighting Hawks.
Verhoeff has represented Canada on the international stage before.
He played on Canada’s IIHF World Under-18 Championship team last spring. He also captained Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup team this fall.
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.