2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Hurlbert named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for January
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospect and Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for January.
In his first WHL season, the 6-foot, 182-pound Hurlbert has been electric, bringing home Tempo WHL Player of the Month honours for September / October before following it up with Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month recognition for November.
Over the course of January, the 17-year-old product of Allen, Texas, registered 16 points (7G-9A) in 12 games, helping the Blazers go 7-2-3-0.
Ranked 10th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings, Hurlbert is projected to be a first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Including five multi-point performances in January, Hurlbert tied a career high with four points (3G-1A), including his second career hat trick on Friday, January 16, in a 7-6 overtime loss versus Prince George.
From there, he added two three-point efforts – the first coming Friday, January 23, in a 7-2 win at Wenatchee. That contest saw Hurlbert open the scoring with his 30th goal of the campaign, before adding two assists. Hurlbert’s second three-point performance came Saturday, January 31, as the Blazers once again dropped an overtime affair with the Cougars, falling 4-3. Hurlbert factored into all three Kamloops strikes, including two primary power-play assists and an even-strength goal.
Originally selected by the Blazers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, Hurlbert has wowed in his first WHL season. With 76 points (32G-44A) in 48 games, he leads the entire WHL in scoring. His 32 goals rank fourth among all WHL skaters, while his 44 assists are good enough to sit tied for fourth
In November, the Texas-born star represented Team CHL at the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge.
On Wednesday, February 18, Hurlbert is set to represent Team West at the inaugural WHL Prospects Game, which will be hosted by the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Centre
Heading into February, the Blazers (23-15-6-4) are fifth in the WHL’s Western Conference.
Next up, Hurlbert and the Blazers visit the Victoria Royals (20-18-5-3) for back-to-back contests Tuesday, February 3, and Wednesday, February 4, at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Watch all the action FREE on Victory+.
Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month
September / October: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
