BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University of North Dakota hockey program is expected to be one of the centers of the hockey world on Friday night, as the 2026 NHL Draft is set to begin from Buffalo, N.Y. 

Once again, UND is expected to have multiple players hear their names called over the two-day event, which kicks off with the first round at 6:00 p.m. (CT) followed by Rounds 2-7 on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (CT). 

COVERAGE INFORMATION: 
Friday - Round 1 - 6:00 p.m. (CT)
Watch: ESPN (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Saturday - Rounds 2-7 - 10:00 a.m. (CT)
Watch: NHL Network (U.S.), Sportsnet (Canada)

PLAYERS TO WATCH (NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKINGS):
Note: All players listed are officially signed with the University of North Dakota. Other commits not listed have not yet signed an official Grant-In-Aid (GIA) and can not be promoted by the program
Carson Carels - Defense (3)
Keaton Verhoeff - Defense (4)
Liam Ruck - Forward (20)
Markus Ruck - Forward (23)
Ethan MacKenzie - Defense (62)
Connor Davis - Forward (N/A)

UND BY THE NUMBERS: 
1999 – UND has had one player selected in each NHL Draft since 1999 – the third-longest active streak in the nation
24 – NoDak has had 24 all-time first round picks, the fifth most in college hockey
209 – Number of all-time North Dakota selections in the NHL Draft – the second-most in the nation
2014, 2015, 2016 – The last time UND had a first round selection in three straight seasons (Nick Schmaltz - 2014, Brock Boeser - 2015, Tyson Jost - 2016)
2010 – UND has had at least one player drafted in the first three rounds of every draft since 2010
2005 - The only time UND has had three players selected in the first round of the same draft (Brian Lee - 9, T.J. Oshie - 24, Joe Finley - 27)
2004 - The only time UND has had at least two players selected in the top-20 of the same draft (Drew Stafford - 13, Travis Zajac - 20)
3 - UND has at least five players selected in each of the last three years, including six in 2025 (Cole Reschny - 18, Cooper Simpson - 79, Sam Laurila - 138, Ashton Schultz - 167, Carter Sanderson - 169, Caleb Heil - 193)

For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.