Landon DuPont, a 17‑year‑old defenseman, has emerged as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. After two seasons with Everett of the Western Hockey League, where he helped the team capture a championship and reach the Memorial Cup final, he accumulated 73 points in 63 regular‑season games and added 23 points in 18 playoff contests.
A promising trajectory
DuPont’s offensive production is matched by his defensive reliability, a combination that has drawn the attention of scouts across North America. His 60 points as a 15‑year‑old earned him exceptional status in the WHL, making him the first blueliner ever to receive the designation and only the second player overall after Connor Bedard.
Currently, he is representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an under‑18 tournament that showcases the next generation of talent. In his first appearance, Canada routed Switzerland 7‑3, and the team is set to face Slovakia on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, a match that will be streamed on NHL.com, TSN and TSN4.
The upcoming game against Slovakia offers DuPont a chance to further demonstrate his two‑way abilities on an international stage. Canada’s broadcast partners will provide live coverage, giving fans a preview of the player who could become the face of the 2027 draft class.
Off the ice, DuPont has committed to the University of Michigan, where he hopes to contribute to a program that routinely produces NHL talent. He has voiced a goal of winning a championship with the Wolverines and, ultimately, earning a spot on Canada’s roster for the 2027 World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
His family background adds another layer of intrigue: his father, Micki DuPont, logged 23 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues between 2002 and 2007, underscoring a multi‑generational connection to professional hockey.