Blazers forward Hurlbert named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 30, 2025.

This represents the second time Hurlbert has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week, after he was recognized September 22 for his performance on opening weekend of the 2025-26 WHL Regular Season. He is also a two-time winner of Tempo WHL Player of the Week honours (September 29 and November 24).

Hurlbert, a 17-year-old product of Allen, Texas, tallied four points (2G-2A) in two games as the Blazers went 2-0-0-0 this past week.

Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 182-pound right winger was assigned an ‘A’ raiting 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 a goal in two games.

After returning to the Blazers from Team CHL, Hurlbert registered a three-point night (2G-1A) as Kamloops edged the Spokane Chiefs by a 5-4 tally Friday, November 28. Hurlbert grabbed a secondary assist 9:56 into the first period as Edmonton Oilers prospect Tommy Lafreniere found the back of the net to give Kamloops a 2-1 lead. After two late first period goals from the Chiefs, Hurlbert responded 1:21 into the second period, registering his 19th goal of the season to restore the Kamloops lead. In the dying minutes of the second period, he became the first WHL player to reach the 20-goal plateau, extending the Blazers lead to 5-3. That strike went on to stand as the game-winning goal after the Chiefs pulled within one midway through the third period. Hurlbert was named first star of the game.

The following night, Hurlbert extended his point-scoring streak to eight games as he recorded an assist in a 7-5 victory over the Penticton Vees at Sandman Centre. Hurlbert’s lone helper came with 4:41 remaining in the second period as he contributed to a Lafreniere power-play goal that gave Kamloops a 4-3 lead.

With 48 points (20G-28A) in 27 games, Hurlbert leads the WHL in scoring, owning a seven-point lead on teammate and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nathan Behm. Hurlbert has been held off the scoresheet a mere six times this season and has registered 14 points (7G-7A) over his active eight-game point-scoring streak. In total, the Texas native has secured 15 multi-point performances this season.

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 Week

September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds
November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors

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.