Landon DuPont #8 Michigan Wolverines. Right Shot Defenseman. 6.00/190 DOB: May 28, 2009 Landon DuPont is an elite-level defenseman who is responsible at both ends of the rink. Landon can contribute on the power play, 5-on-5, and on the penalty kill. His edge work and skating help him be aggressive on puck carriers and get into shooting and passing lanes. DuPont’s vision and Hockey IQ make him stand out on the backend. His quick decision-making and precise first pass help his team in transition to get up the ice quickly. He is always moving his feet, looking for open ice and a soft spot in the offensive zone to create Grade A scoring chances for him and his teammates with quick tape-to-tape passes. Landon Dupont is projected as the first overall pick in the 2027 NHL draft for his elite-level skill. He is a good defender who may get overshadowed by his offensive ability. I see him as a top pairing defenseman at the next level who will play big minutes on a nightly basis. He is always one step ahead when he is on the ice with the puck.
1 – Landon DuPont Despite
recent discussions and narratives, I still firmly believe DuPont is the 1st overall pick, and quite frankly it’s not very close. DuPont’s offensive upside and ability is a very evident trait, he is tremendous at creating space and open lanes, not just for himself but also his teammates, he’s able to force multiple defenders on him at once and create opportunities before they close in. Offensively he can essentially do it all, but what impresses me the most is his growth in other areas of the game, all while maintaining such a high level of offence, he has developed so much defensively in the last year, he is not out of position nearly as much, corrects himself much faster, and uses his skating to close on players.
1 – Landon DuPont (6’0″ | 190lbs | RD | Michigan Wolverines | Canada)
The consensus first overall pick was dominant at the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Posting an impressive eight points in five games from the blue line, Landon DuPont demonstrated that his game extends far beyond raw puck skills. Built on an elite skating foundation, he uses his edges seamlessly to shake defenders, create space, and set up high-danger scoring chances with top-tier playmaking vision. Defensively, his quickness allows him to close gaps rapidly and clog shooting lanes, making high-quality chances hard to come by when he’s on the ice. As he transitions to the NCAA with Michigan, the main question is how his 6’0”, 190-pound frame will adjust to the added physicality. But if his Hlinka performance was any indication, he remains the frontrunner to go number one overall.
Landon DuPont had a game that was indicative of his entire tournament, finishing with only one point despite being by far the most dominant player on the ice. Canada was in rough shape early, being outshot 10-1, but DuPont never let that get to him and continued making plays on every shift even while the players around him were struggling. Earning the C on his jersey, he dragged Canada back into the game with a slap shot from the high slot to tie it late in the first period. While he didn’t find the scoresheet again, DuPont remained dynamic in the offensive zone, whipping the puck around and controlling play. His second point of the night nearly came when he set up Maddox Schultz in the dying seconds of the first period, but time ran out. He didn’t receive a point on Malik L’Italien’s goal to give Canada a 3-2 lead either, but the play couldn’t have happened without him. DuPont caused havoc in the offensive zone, crashed the slot and drew all the attention away from L’Italien, giving him the time and space to score.
D.O.B – May 28, 2009
DuPont has put up 15 points in 22 games, with two goals and 13 assists, while logging responsible minutes for a 16-year-old on a strong Everett squad. At six feet and 190 lbs, he brings a composed, structure-driven approach that translates cleanly to higher levels. He retrieves pucks with calm detail, using deception and subtle weight shifts to beat forecheckers and exit under control. His four-way mobility is excellent, allowing him to close space early, maintain tight gaps, and force opponents to the outside. In the offensive zone, he walks the blue line confidently, keeping plays alive without forcing low-percentage passes. DuPont doesn’t overwhelm with physical strength yet, but his reads, stick work, and route selection are mature for his age. With continued growth and added power, he profiles as a modern, puck-moving D-man who can handle top-pair minutes and provide steady power-play contributions.
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