The reigning WHL Rookie of the Year, Hurlbert scored his way into the first round, and Detroit paid to get him, trading goaltender Sebastian Cossa to Utah to move up for the 23rd pick. The Allen, Texas native won the award with 42 goals, 55 assists, and 294 shots for the Kamloops Blazers, finishing fourth in league scoring after leaving the United States National Team Development Program. The calling card is a lethal one-touch shot that he unloads on the power play, backed by deft hands and real playmaking. The reservations are about how it translates: his skating breaks down when he is reacting rather than dictating, he lacks a recovery gear, and he can take his linemates’ lanes and clog space rather than create it.

Hurlbert was selected 23rd overall by the Red Wings after they traded Cossa to the Mammoth for the pick selection. The Red Wings clearly targeted someone they like and the hope is that he can reach his top six upside.

Hurlbert has been on an absolute tear since making the jump from the USNTDP, amassing 20 points in his first eight games with the Blazers. He has a real weapon of a shot, some deft stickhandling, and has demonstrated some nice playmaking early on this season. As impactful as Hurlbert has been on offense, he’ll likely need to improve his skating and engagement away from the puck for his impact to translate at the next level. When he’s in control of the situation, his skating looks noticeably improved, but when he’s reacting to play, his mechanics can break down, and he lacks some explosiveness and recovery speed. And although he has shown good chemistry with his linemates, he can sometimes take lanes, impeding their progress and leading to congestion rather than spacing. –

Hurlbert left the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) to join the Western Hockey League and play for the Kamloops Blazers. Hurlbert has gotten off to a hot start to the 2025-26 season with the Blazers. He has nine points (six goals and three assists) in three games, including a hat trick in the Blazers’ season-opening game. A 2026 NHL draft-eligible prospect, projected to be taken in the first round, Hurlbert is committed to play in the NCAA with the Michigan Wolverines during the 2026-27 season. Sustained individual success this season will go a long way in determining how high Hurlbert will be selected next June at the 2026 NHL Draft. He has high-end offensive capabilities and will be a player to watch for your 2026 dynasty rookie drafts.

Hurlbert is a shot-and-power-play fantasy profile whose points depend on the offense staying ahead of the skating questions. He is an incoming freshman at Michigan for 2026-27, joining a loaded Wolverines group, and how his pace holds against college competition is the read that decides how quickly the fantasy value arrives.