Exceptional status defenceman DuPont named Tempo WHL Player of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Everett Silvertips defenceman Landon DuPont has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 29, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

The 15-year-old has previously been named Rookie of the Month for September/October and Rookie of the Week on September 30.

DuPont led all WHL skaters this week with three goals and two assists in two games.

The Everett Silvertips returned from the holiday break with a spirited road tilt against the Seattle Thunderbirds in front of nearly 9,000 fans on December 27. Seattle struck first, but DuPont found the equalizer on an early powerplay. Tyler MacKenzie received a pass down low and immediately centered for a wide-open DuPont in the slot for the one-timer. The teams would find themselves tied 2-2 in the middle frame, but the youngster put the league-leading Tips back on top again. DuPont wired a stretch pass to a streaking Caine Wilke, who slid the puck to Shea Busch for a point-blank wrister and the go-ahead goal. Everett would cruise to a 5-3 victory from there.

The following night, the rivalry matchup shifted north to Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, where more than 8,200 fans piled in for the rematch. The 2023 WHL Champion Thunderbirds drew first blood again, but DuPont was also ready to even things up again on the man advantage. The blueliner picked up a long rebound down low and worked the spin-o-rama to fire the puck off the far post and in at a near-impossible angle. Everett would carry a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, and DuPont added to the total with his second goal of the night- another spinning effort from the slot. He closed out the night with a secondary assist on 2025 NHL Draft-eligible Carter Bear’s sensational backhander in an eventual 6-1 victory. DuPont was named first star of the game with a two-goal, one-assist effort.

Landon DuPont. That’s the caption. #ForEverett pic.twitter.com/EkHw6K3lRt

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 29, 2024

DuPont, the first exceptional status defenceman to play in the WHL, has nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points and a +22 rating in 31 games. He leads all WHL rookies in assists, points and plus-minus, and ranks second among all CHL first-year players in points.

The 5-foot-11, 179-pound rearguard is also on a five-game point streak and has only been held off the scoresheet once in December.

Everett selected DuPont with the first overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

The Silvertips (27-5-2-1) are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games to remain first in the overall WHL standings while scoring the most goals and allowing the fewest goals against. They’ll head south to the Rose City to face the surging Portland Winterhawks (20-12-2-0) on December 31 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

 

2024-25 Tempo WHL Player of the Week
September 23, 2024: Roger McQueen, Brandon Wheat Kings
September 30, 2024: Nathan Behm, Kamloops Blazers
October 7, 2024: Shea Van Olm, Spokane Chiefs
October 15, 2024: Mazden Leslie, Vancouver Giants
October 21, 2024: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen
October 28, 2024: Nathan Behm, Kamloops Blazers
November 4, 2024: Brady Birnie, Swift Current Broncos
November 11, 2024: Koehn Ziemmer, Prince George Cougars (Los Angeles Kings)
November 18, 2024: Tomas Mrsic, Prince Albert Raiders (St. Louis Blues)
November 25, 2024: Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)
December 2, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 9, 2024: Tyson Jugnauth, Portland Winterhawks (Seattle Kraken)
December 16, 2024: Gracyn Sawchyn, Edmonton Oil Kings (Florida Panthers)
December 23, 2024: Rilen Kovacevic, 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 offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 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 close to 60 years. The WHL is also a 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.

 

-30-