Exceptional status defenceman DuPont named WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Exceptional status defenceman Landon DuPont has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The Everett Silvertips star impressed with a one-goal, three-assist week while becoming the first rookie defenceman in 35 years to record a 50-point season.
DuPont had a three-point outburst as the Silvertips downed the Kelowna Rockets 7-3 on January 31. With Kelowna leading 1-0, DuPont scored his 12th goal of the season with a powerplay blast. He gave his team their first lead of the night with a helper on Carter Bear’s second-period tally. The youngster added some insurance with a pass off the wall to set up Cole Temple for an insurance marker in the second frame. DuPont was named second star of the night with a goal, two assists and a +4 rating.
The Calgary, Alta. product made history in the Tips’ final match of the weekend as they hosted the Kamloops Blazers. With the visitors leading 2-1 in the middle frame, DuPont put a deceptive shot on net, where his teammate Dominik Rymon ended up burying the equalizer. The assist marked DuPont’s 50th point of the season in an eventual 5-4 overtime victory.
HISTORY FOR LANDON DUPONT!
With an assist with the @WHLsilvertips tonight, the exceptional status blueliner is first rookie defenceman to hit the 50-point mark since @blazerhockey legend Scott Niedermayer in 1989-90.
📝 | https://t.co/rllp6rsQ4u pic.twitter.com/UXYNUPIIda
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 3, 2025
DuPont is the first defenceman since Hockey Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer to put up a 50-point rookie season. Funnily enough, the historic marker came against Niedermayer’s junior squad, the Blazers.
The 15-year-old is first in scoring among all first-year Canadian Hockey League defencemen and third among all rookie skaters with 12 goals and 38 assists in 47 games.
DuPont is the second player and first rearguard to be granted exceptional status to compete in the Western Hockey League full-time as a 15-year-old, following in the footsteps of former WHL Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year Connor Bedard (Regina Pats).
DuPont, who clocks in at 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, was selected by the Everett Silvertips with the first-overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
This marks his second weekly WHL award, in addition to WHL Rookie of the Month honours in September/October and December.
Everett (36-8-4-3) is 6-3-1-0 in its last 10 games to sit first in the league.
The Silvertips could become the first club to clinch a berth in the 2025 WHL Playoffs as soon as this weekend.
DuPont and company are back in action on Friday, February 7 as they hit the road for a rematch in Kamloops.
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
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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