The NHL Draft kicks off Friday night, and all eyes are on 18‑year‑old JP Hurlbert, a native of Allen, Texas, who is projected to become the first player from the Lone Star State to hear his name called in the opening round in more than a decade.
Early Foundations
Hurlbert’s journey to this moment began on the ice at the Children’s Health StarsCenter in Valley Ranch, a facility operated by the Dallas Stars where he has been training six days a week since he was four years old.
Draft Landscape
If the projections hold, Hurlbert will join the ranks of notable Texas alumni such as Seth Jones, the defenseman who was the first Texan taken in the first round back in 2013.
Implications for Texas Hockey
The timing is notable because the Dallas Stars themselves do not hold a first‑round pick as of Thursday morning, underscoring the significance of Hurlbert’s potential selection for the franchise and for the state’s hockey heritage.
Beyond the personal milestone, Hurlbert’s rise reflects a broader growth of talent pipelines in Texas, a trend that could inspire the next generation of players to pursue elite training pathways.