JP Hurlbert, a 19-year-old forward from Allen, Texas, stunned the junior hockey world with a rookie campaign for the Kamloops Blazers that blended scoring punch with playmaking poise.
A Rookie Season for the Ages
He netted 42 goals and added 55 assists, amassing 97 points in 68 games and earning WHL Rookie of the Year honors while also landing as a finalist for the league’s Player of the Year award.
Central Scouting’s North American rankings now place him 12th among all skaters eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, a testament to a rapid ascent that has attracted the attention of every major NHL franchise.
Beyond the Numbers
Hurlbert’s impact stretches past statistics. He helped usher in a new pathway for U.S. prospects eyeing the WHL after recent eligibility rule changes, and his leadership earned him alternate captain duties at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and the 2026 WHL Prospects Game.
Physical development has also been a focus; the forward added roughly ten pounds between September training camp and the June NHL Combine, where he underwent fitness testing and met with team executives.
The upcoming draft will begin on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MT, with rounds two through seven following on June 27, giving Hurlbert a chance to hear his name called among the league’s elite.
Only 30 players born in Texas have ever been drafted into the NHL, and just 12 have made it to the big leagues; Hurlbert hopes to join their ranks and will honor his journey with a specially designed draft-day suit that pays tribute to the Blazers and the mentors who shaped him.