Blazers forward Hurlbert named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for November
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert has been Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for November.
This represents the second time Hurlbert has been recognized with a WHL Monthly Award, after he was named Tempo WHL Player of the Month for September / October.
Over the course of November, the 17-year-old product of Allen, Texas, was named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week once, while also earning Tempo WHL Player of the Week recognition once.
Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 182-pound right winger was assigned an ‘A’ rating in NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List on October 20. Last week, he represented Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alta., where he scored one goal in two games.
The month of November saw the electrifying Hurlbert record 20 points (8G-12A) and a plus-6 rating in 12 games, helping the Blazers go 7-3-1-1.
During his 12 games in November, Hurlbert tallied seven multi-point games, while only being held off the scoresheet twice (November 1 at Portland; November 8 versus Everett).
On November 4, Hurlbert secured the fourth four-point night (1G-3A) of his WHL career, as the Blazers thumped the Spokane Chiefs by an 8-2 score. Hurlbert chipped in with helpers on two goals from Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nathan Behm, before adding another assist on a goal from defenceman Rhett Ravndahl. He finished his night be scoring his 13th goal of the season to put Kamloops in front 8-1.
On November 28, Hurlbert logged his only three-point game (2G-1A) of the month, earning first star of the game as the Blazers once again knocked off the Chiefs, this time by a 5-4 score. After helping Edmonton Oilers prospect Tommy Lafreniere find the back of the net in the first period, Hurlbert recorded his 19th and 20th goals of the campaign during the second period, becoming the first WHL player to reach the 20-goal plateau this season.
Heading into December, Hurlbert is riding an eight-game point streak, which has seen him collect 14 points (7G-7A) dating back to November 11.
With 48 points (20G-28A) in 27 games, Hurlbert leads the WHL in point scoring, owning a seven-point lead on Behm. Hurlbert’s 20 goals lead the WHL, while his 28 assists rank third.
Originally selected by the Blazers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, Hurlbert signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Blazers on August 26, 2025.
Coming out of the weekend, the Blazers (13-10-2-2) are second in the WHL’s B.C. Division and fourth in the Western Conference.
Next up, Hurlbert and the Blazers host the Penticton Vees (11-8-3-3) Friday, December 5 (7 p.m. PT) at Sandman Centre in Kamloops.
Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month
September / October: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
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.
