The CHL is losing another top player to the NCAA.
Prince George Cougars star defenceman Carson Carels has committed to the University of North Dakota for next season, the native of Cypress River, Man. announced on Instagram on Monday.
Carels, 17, is expected to be a lottery pick in next month's NHL Draft. He was ranked fifth in draft rankings compiled by Sportsnet's Jason Bukala last week.
Carels was the youngest player on Canada's world junior team this season.
The six-foot-two Carels had 20 goals and 53 assists in 58 regular-season games for the Cougars before adding one goal and nine assists in 10 playoff games.
Carels could join fellow expected lottery pick and Canadian junior teammate Keaton Verhoeff at North Dakota. Verhoeff left the WHL to play at North Dakota last year.
Ten of the top 15 players on Bukala's list are now expected to play in either the NCAA or NHL next season.
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