Exceptional status defenceman DuPont named WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Everett Silvertips defenceman Landon DuPont has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 20, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

This is the third time the exceptional-status defender has been named Rookie of the Week. He’s also picked up two Tempo WHL Player of the Week wins and two WHL Rookie of the Month honours.

DuPont paced all first-year skaters with three goals and four assists for seven points in four games.

The 15-year-old registered a goal and an assist in a narrow 6-5 overtime loss against Portland in Game 4 of their second-round series on April 16. DuPont picked up a powerplay assist by rifling a shot on net for Tyler MacKenzie to poke the rebound home. He chipped away at a 3-1 deficit with a clapper on the powerplay to get Everett within one, though Portland would go on to win in extras.

DuPont was named third star of Game 5 with another multipoint effort, though the Winterhawks prevailed 4-3 in another tight matchup. After Portland drew first blood, DuPont potted his third goal of the postseason with a one-timer from the faceoff dot. He struck again with a primary assist on Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen’s late game-tying goal before Hudson Darby put the game away for the Hawks.

With their season on the line, DuPont and the Silvertips came out swinging with one of their best efforts of the playoffs in Game 6. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound blueliner picked up a helper on Jesse Heslop’s game-opening goal less than a minute into the opening frame to set the tone on the road. With Everett up 2-1 late in the period, DuPont added to the pile-on with a precision wrister on the powerplay. He picked up some more insurance with a primary assist on Nashville Predators prospect Austin Roest’s second-period goal as the Silvertips forced Game 7 with an 8-4 win.

DuPont is ranked fourth among all WHL defencemen and leads all rookies in postseason scoring with four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in nine games. He’s only been held off the scoresheet twice and has six multipoint outings in his first trip to the WHL Playoffs.

The Calgary, Alta. product entered the season with high expectations as the first defenceman granted exceptional status to compete in the WHL full-time as a 15-year-old and the first-overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

He led all rookies in regular season scoring with 60 points (17G-43A) in 64 games and helped the Silvertips clinch the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions.

His incredible season helped him earn a nomination for the prestigious Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL Rookie of the Year on April 3, 2025.

DuPont is eligible for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.

Everett and Portland return to the ice for a crucial Game 7 showdown on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:05 p.m. PST.

Fans can stream the WHL Playoffs for free on Victory+.

2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Week
September 23, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
September 30, 2024: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
October 7, 2024: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
October 15, 2024: Josh Banini, Moose Jaw Warriors
October 21, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
October 28, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 4, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
November 11, 2024: Ondrej Stebetak, Portland Winterhawks
November 18, 2024: Kason Kobelka, Calgary Hitmen
November 25, 2024: Jordan Duguay, Portland Winterhawks
December 2, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 9, 2024: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 16, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
December 23, 2024: Parker Rondeau, Swift Current Broncos
December 30, 2024: Joe Iginla, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 6, 2025: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
January 13, 2025: Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers
January 20, 2025: Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants
January 27, 2025: Matej Pekar, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 3, 2025: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 10, 2025: Savin Virk, Tri-City Americans
February 18, 2025: Jordan Switzer, Medicine Hat Tigers
February 24, 2025: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
March 3, 2025: Luke Vlooswyk, Red Deer Rebels
March 10, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
March 17, 2025: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
March 24, 2025: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
March 31, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
April 7, 2025: Shea Busch, Everett Silvertips
April 14, 2025: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders

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.

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