J.P. Hurlbert
2025-26 Team: Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Date of Birth: April 11, 2008
Place of Birth: Allen, TX, USA
Ht: 6-foot-0 Wt: 183 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Left Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible
Rankings
The 2026 NHL Draft class has long been circled as the Gavin McKenna year, but as the Western Hockey League (WHL) regular season draws to a close, the conversation is expanding. One of the most significant movers is J.P. Hurlbert, the Texas-born forward who made the jump from the U.S. National Team Development Program to the Kamloops Blazers this past fall.
Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide
Hurlbert didn’t just meet expectations; he shattered them, finishing the regular season as one of the most prolific rookies in the league. Over 68 games, he torched opponents for 42 goals and 55 assists, finishing with 97 points — good for fourth in the entire WHL scoring race. With the playoffs around the corner, Hurlbert enters the postseason as a focal point for a Kamloops squad set to face the Kelowna Rockets in a highly anticipated first-round series.
Scouts generally view Hurlbert as a dual-threat offensive winger, though he has spent time at center. His primary weapon is an NHL-caliber shot. He possesses a “catch-and-release” mechanic that allows him to whip the puck toward the net almost instantly upon receiving a pass. This ability to generate velocity without needing a long wind-up makes him a nightmare for goaltenders, particularly on the power play where he often sets up above the circles.
Beyond the shooting, his intelligence is what separates him from the typical junior scorer. Hurlbert has a high-end ability to read defensive layers, often identifying gaps in coverage before they fully open. This spatial awareness allowed him to lead his team in scoring despite not being the biggest or fastest player on the ice. While his skating is functional and he plays with decent pace, some scouts note a lack of a truly explosive top gear, which is an area he will likely need to address to transition his game to the professional level.
Hurlbert doesn’t shy away from the competitive aspects of the game and has shown a willingness to engage defensively, even contributing to the penalty kill in Kamloops. However, he remains a finesse-first player. His value lies in his puck manipulation — using his hands to bait defenders into opening passing lanes for his teammates.
Other THW Draft Profiles
J.P. Hurlbert – NHL Draft Projection
Hurlbert has firmly established himself as a first-round pick. How high in the first round will depend on how teams weigh his elite offensive production against his average skating mechanics and defensive game. For now, he is arguably the most dangerous pure scorer available in the 2026 class. Considering his elite shot and hockey IQ, a team might take a gamble at his ceiling offensively and select him within the top 15.
Regardless of where he is selected this June, Hurlbert’s immediate future is already mapped out; following this playoff run and his subsequent draft, he is committed to play for the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season.
Quotables
“Hurlbert is a very skilled scoring winger. He’s very creative as a puck handler and passer while also having a good shot. With the puck, he looks like an NHL player, but his effort level and speed are average, and he can be pushed to the outside too easily. He projects as a middle-six winger who can help a team’s power play.” – Corey Pronman, The Athletic (from ‘2026 NHL Draft prospects: Chase Reid, Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff top Pronman’s ranking,’ The Athletic, 3/10/26)
“Hurlbert leans shooter and goal scorer more than natural playmaker. He possesses a lethal release from the weak side flank, especially on the power play when setting up in the face-off circle. His three zone detail ranges at times, but tends to be average overall. Not a pure burner in open ice. Sturdy strong in traffic.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
“JP Hurlbert is an undervalued, high-impact offensive player whose processing and creativity consistently outpace his skating. While his pace isn’t ideal, he mitigates it with strong instincts, finding space early, demanding the puck, and making decisive plays or getting shots off with confidence and intent. He’s physical enough to win pucks and owns an NHL-caliber shot, though fatigue can lead to shorter possessions and some defensive inconsistencies tied more to role and stamina than awareness.” – Austin Garret, SMAHT Scouting
“Hurlbert is a high-IQ forward. This manifests itself in many ways. Whether it be pre-reading a play defensively to break a puck up, making split-second decisions in skill-chaining to deke around a defender, or making the right reads in the offensive zone in order to find himself in prime scoring areas with the puck. Hurlbert is difficult to miss over the course of a game because so many of his actions have noticeable effects.” – Jesse Marshall, Faceoff-Factor
Strengths
- Hockey IQ
- Elite shot and release
- Playmaking
- High compete level
Under Construction (Improvements to Make)
- Skating mechanics
- Strength
- Physicality
- Defensive game
NHL Potential
Hurlbert’s NHL ceiling is that of a top-six offensive driver who can anchor a top power-play unit, with the potential to become a consistent 30-goal scorer at the highest level if his skating and defensive game improve.
Risk-Reward Analysis
Risk – 3/5, Reward – 4/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offence – 8/10, Defence – 6/10
Awards/Achievements
Hurlbert finished his first and only season in the WHL with the most goals and points by a rookie and was named WHL Player of the Month for September and October.
Interviews/Profile Links
J.P. Hurlbert Statistics
Videos
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