Carels enters North Dakota in favourable situation joining the likes of former Victoria Royals star Cole Reschny and Keaton Verhoeff who are expected back next season.
Other notable WHL alumni who wore the green, white and black in 2025-26 included former Portland Winterhawks Josh Zakreski and Jan Spunar along with four-year Red Deer Rebels standout Ollie Josephson.
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.
B.C.’s three main party leaders clashed over affordability, health care and Indigenous rights in a heated televised election debate Wednesday evening.