File photo - Carson Carels had two assists in a 4-2 Cougars win over the Victoria Royals, Nov. 12, 2025 (Photo: James Doyle)
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North Dakota University lures away Carson Carels from PG Cougars

Brendan Pawliw
By Brendan Pawliw

A big part of the Prince George Cougars blueline is departing for the NCAA.

Carson Carels has committed to the North Dakota Hawks for next season.

The 17-year-old registered 20 goals and 73 points in 58 games along with a plus-23 rating last season.

Carels who is slated to be a high first-round pick in next month’s NHL Draft was rated third among North American-born skaters in the final draft rankings by Central Scouting.

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During his entire WHL tenure with the Cougars, he recorded 26 goals and 111 points in 125 games.

The Cypress River, Manitoba., native represented Canada at the 2026 World Juniors, recording an assist in a bronze-medal finish.

Carels also represented Canada at the 2025 Under-18 World Hockey Championship and 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, taking home a gold and bronze medal, respectively.

Something going on in the Bulkley Valley Lakes District you think people should know about?
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Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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