A Prospect Poised for the Top
Landon DuPont, a 17‑year‑old defenseman, has been projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, a distinction that places him at the center of North American scouting conversations. His combination of size, skating and offensive instincts has drawn comparisons to elite prospects who have already reshaped the draft landscape.
After two seasons with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, DuPont helped the club capture a championship and reach the Memorial Cup final. In the most recent regular season he recorded 73 points — 18 goals and 55 assists — across 63 games, and added 23 points in 18 playoff contests.
International Exposure and Exceptional Status
DuPont is currently competing for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an under‑18 tournament where the Canadian squad opened with a 7‑3 victory over Switzerland. The tournament serves as a showcase for the next wave of talent, and DuPont’s performance there underscores his readiness for higher‑profile competition.
The defenseman earned exceptional status to play in the WHL as an underage player, becoming the first blueliner to achieve that distinction and only the second player overall after Connor Bedard in 2020. That status reflects not only his statistical output — 60 points in 64 games during the 2024‑25 season — but also the high expectations placed on him by scouts and coaches alike.
College Commitment and Future Goals
DuPont has pledged to attend the University of Michigan, where he will join a roster that could feature up to 17 NHL‑draft‑eligible players, including five first‑round prospects. The move to Ann Arbor offers a platform to refine his defensive game while pursuing a championship with the Wolverines.
Beyond college, his ambitions include representing Canada at the 2027 World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. Such an appearance would extend a trajectory that already includes international experience in Switzerland and Germany, environments that shaped his early love for the sport.
Off the ice, DuPont follows a family legacy: his father, Micki DuPont, logged 23 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues between 2002 and 2007. Growing up across Europe before settling in North America, Landon credits those formative years with instilling a deep appreciation for the game’s global culture.