After Detroit traded up to draft him 23rd overall, Hurlbert took part in the Red Wings’ development camp before preparing for his freshman season at the University of Michigan. The move gives him an opportunity to continue refining his offensive game against elite NCAA competition.

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.

Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

J.P Hurlbert Continues His Hot Start to the Year

The 2025–26 Canadian Hockey League season is shaping up to be another showcase of emerging star power, with several draft-eligible talents making their mark early. Top prospects are wasting no time turning heads coast-to-coast, from a scorching start in Kamloops to dominant play down the middle in Oshawa and a power-play clinic in Peterborough. J.P. Hurlbert has been the talk of the Western Hockey League with a torrid scoring pace that’s drawing historic comparisons, Brooks Rogowski is using his size and skill to elevate his draft stock, and Adam Novotny continues to prove why he’s one of the Ontario Hockey League’s most dangerous young wingers. Here’s a closer look at three standout performances that defined this past week for draft eligibles.

J.P Hurlbert | RW | Kamloops Blazers

J.P. Hurlbert’s start to the Western Hockey League campaign has gotten people in hockey very excited for his pro potential. The 5-foot-11, 176 pound winger leads the league in points after roughly two weeks of regular season play with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 11 games.

The Allen, Texas, native, who joined Kamloops via the United States National Development Team Program U17 team, continued to build on his hot start with eight points (two goals, six assists) in four contests in the past week. The two-way forward started his week contributing an assist on all four Blazers goals in a 4-3 overtime win over the Regina Pats. He followed it up with a goal and an assist on Thursday in a 7-5 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Hurlbert drove the net and popped in a rebound to pick up his 11th goal in ten games on Friday, but the Blazers fell 6-3 to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Hurlbert was held off the scoresheet on Sunday during a 3-2 shootout loss to the Swift Current Broncos. It wasn’t for lack of trying, as he had 13 shot attempts with five hitting the target. Defensively, he was credited with six shot blocks in the contest.

Hurlbert’s hot start has him on pace for a 68 goal, 80 assist, 148 point season, which would be the third-best draft-eligible season in the WHL behind Rob Brown’s 173 points in 1985-86 and Ken Yaremchuk’s 157 points in 1981-82. It would put him five points ahead of what Connor Bedard accomplished in 2022-23.

Kamloops Blazers (0) @ Saskatoon Blades (3) October 11, 2025 

JP Hurlbert #2 Kamloops Blazers – April 11, 2008 – Right shot right wing. 6.00 / 182 Strength: Competes at a high level. Quick feet with strong edges and soft hands. Shows a bit of grit and consistently engages himself in the play every shift. Recorded 2 faceoffs taken with 50% success. Hard night for him – double teamed all night long speaks to the threat he poses. Opportunity for Improvement: None noted. Potential – First round Cooper Williams #16 Saskatoon Blades – February 18, 2008 Left shot centre. 6.01 / 159 Strength: Strong skater with good wheels and smooth edge work. Decent speed. Went 100% on faceoffs. Opportunity for Improvement: Needs to be stronger and more effective in board battles. Potential – Late 1st / early second

“Hurlbert may ultimately emerge as one of the biggest risers in the class,” per Victor Nuno’s on June 20. “Unlike some offensive wingers, Hurlbert’s game remains involved and competitive away from the puck.”

Hurlbert’s blend of speed, skill and natural offensive game gives him legitimate top-six upside, and his collegiate development will be an important next step in reaching that ceiling.

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.