The University of Michigan announced on Tuesday that seven promising forwards and defensemen will join the program for the 2026‑27 campaign, each bringing a distinct blend of junior‑league experience and NHL draft anticipation.
A New Generation of Talent
J.P. Hurlbert, a forward from Allen, Texas, arrives after a stint with the Kamloops Blazers and a recent selection by the Detroit Red Wings, while Brandt Harper, a defenseman hailing from Tampa, Florida, earned his draft slot through a standout season with the North Bay Battalion in the USHL.
Landon Dupont, a defenseman from Calgary, Alberta, brings a rare exceptional‑status designation from 2024 after his performances with the Everett Silvertips, and Jack Nesbitt, a forward from Sarnia, Ontario, hopes to translate his Windsor Spitfires pedigree into collegiate success after being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Cam Reid, a defenseman from Aylmer, Ontario, adds depth after his time with the Kitchener Rangers and a Nashville Predators draft pick, while Kieren Dervin, a left winger from Gloucester, Ontario, brings a Vancouver Canucks selection and a stint with the Kingston Frontenacs to Ann Arbor.
Nic Sima, a forward from Mississauga, Ontario, rounds out the class after being drafted by the North Bay team in the OHL, completing a diverse geographic footprint that spans Texas to Ontario.
A Strategic Blend of Talent and Development
The incoming cohort reflects a deliberate strategy by the Wolverines’ coaching staff to weave together players from a variety of development pathways, including elite prep schools such as Shattuck St. Mary's and Bishop Kearney Selects, as well as junior programs like Nepean Raiders and Upper Canada Cyclones.
These connections underscore the program’s expanding network of partnerships, linking the university with a constellation of respected hockey brands that have long nurtured elite prospects.
Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as the freshmen adapt to the rigors of Big Ten competition, with the coaching staff confident that the blend of draft pedigree and proven junior performance will bolster the team’s depth and competitiveness.