Beck Thoreson’s recruiting process moved quickly once his NCAA contact period opened. On New Year’s Day, the Moorhead, Minnesota, native made the 80-mile drive up I-29 to visit the University of North Dakota.

That visit became a defining moment in Thoreson’s recruitment.

“January 1 came around and I took a visit that day to North Dakota while I was home, just so I didn’t have to wait until March,” Thoreson told PuckPreps. “I just kept the conversation going after that.”

North Dakota stood out immediately, in large part because of how clearly the staff expressed interest in the 4-star defenseman. UND was the first school to reach out once recruiting officially opened.

“They wanted me, they made that very clear,” he said. “I just felt like that was the right spot for me.”

Once that feeling set in, Thoreson saw no reason to delay. He knew UND was the right fit, so he pledged his verbal commitment.

Thoreson’s timeline was somewhat unique. Unlike a lot of other 2009-born skaters, he wasn’t eligible to receive offers from schools on August 1. However, by accelerating his grades, he achieved junior status in high school and became eligible to receive offers on January 1.

The visit itself reinforced everything Thoreson had heard about North Dakota. He met with the entire staff, from coaches to trainers, and was able to see the program from the inside rather than just as a spectator.

“The moment I walked in, I was just like, ‘This is unreal,’” he said. “Obviously, I’ve been there before, but going on a visit is different. It just brings a different feeling.”

Thoreson came away impressed with the coaching staff and the direction of the program. He noted the staff’s work rebuilding the team and how thorough the experience felt, from touring the facilities to speaking with players.

While he had attended UND games in the past, seeing the behind-the-scenes operation left a lasting impression.

“They have the best facilities in college hockey there,” he said. “It’s a dream. It should be a dream for everybody to at least look at the facilities they have. It’s nuts.”

As part of his decision-making process, Thoreson reached out to people he trusted who were familiar with the program. That included fellow Moorhead native and current North Dakota freshman defenseman Sam Laurila.

Laurila has known Thoreson for years, with their families being close friends and the two having played together growing up.

“I was happy when I saw he committed here, super pumped for him,” Laurila said.

Thoreson spoke with Laurila the day of his visit and continued those conversations afterward.

“Sam was a big part of my recruiting,” Thoreson said. “He’s the person I go to to ask if this is the right thing and if he thinks it would be good for me.”

Laurila shared his own journey to North Dakota. His path included two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program and another year with the Fargo Force, which helped him tap into his offensive potential and led to him being drafted by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Through that lens, Thoreson gained insight into what the next steps could look like for his own development.

“Obviously, his path is his path,” Laurila said. “If he accelerates quicker than me and doesn’t need an extra year, perfect. But if he does, then going back for another year in juniors can really help, and I think it really paid off for me.”

In discussions with the North Dakota staff, Thoreson said they were clear about how they view his game. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, his size stands out immediately, but the coaching staff emphasized more than just his physical presence.

“They see me as a dual threat,” he said. “They know I can play both offense and defense, so that’s how they’re going to use me.”

That description aligns with how Thoreson sees himself as a player.

“I think I can move pretty well for a big guy,” he said. “I’m not going to be a Quinn Hughes-type and go look for offense every shift, but if it comes, I’m going to take it. A dual threat that looks at defense first.”

In terms of development, Thoreson knows what the next steps look like. He has good size for a 16-year-old, but he understands that he needs to fill out as he continues to grow.

Thoreson remains flexible about his timeline. Whether he enters North Dakota in Fall 2027 or 2028 will largely depend on his development with the NTDP.

“I could see myself going in after these two years, but I could also see myself playing a year of juniors,” he said. “I think most of it depends on next year.”

When asked about players he models his game after, Thoreson pointed to a pair of former North Dakota defensemen.

“Jake Sanderson and Tyler Kleven,” he said. “I think I bring a little mix of those two together.”

With his commitment finalized and a clear understanding of North Dakota’s expectations, he enters the next phase of his development focused on growth and rounding out his game for the challenges ahead.