JP Hurlbert fires a shot past Rockets netminder Nathan Kam. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

Blazers 6 Rockets 0

Hurlbert hat trick powers Blazers to preseason blowout over Kelowna Rockets

Sep 6, 2025 | 10:23 AM

KAMLOOPS — It didn’t take long for JP Hurlbert to show the Sandman Centre crowd what he’s capable of.

The highly touted American forward scored a hat trick to lift the Blazers to a 6-0 win over the Kelowna Rockets in a Friday (Sept. 5) night preseason game.

Hurlbert, 17, struck twice in the opening two minutes and he completed his hat trick late in the second as the Blazers dressed a more veteran lineup compared to the team that fell 3-1 to the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday.

“Yeah, it felt great,” Hurlbert said post-game. “I wasn’t planning on that one but to do it first night in the building, it was great.”

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The Blazers also got second period goals from veteran forwards Tommy Lafreniere, Jordan Keller, and Nathan Behm. Lafreniere and Behm also chipped in with two assists each.

Latvian netminder Ivans Kufterins stopped all 32 shots he faced in his Blazers’ preseason debut as he went the distance.

“I want to thank my teammates for all the blocked shots,” the 18-year-old Kufterins said post-game. “I don’t know what the shots were in the first period but I was really stressed about the first shot, and it took 10 minutes for that.”

“Our team did a really good job and they gave me an opportunity to play with confidence scoring six goals. It was a really good game.”

Rockets netminder Nathan Kam allowed five goals on 24 shots in 32:18 of action. He was replaced by Jake Pilon who allowed one goal on nine shots who played 27:42 of relief work.

The Blazers and Rockets will rematch in Kelowna tonight. Kamloops will also play the Prince George Cougars next weekend. Friday’s (Sept. 12) game will be at Sandman Centre while Saturday’s will be at the West Fraser Centre in Quesnel.

They will then open the 2025-26 WHL regular season at home against the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday, Sept. 20. More information about the Blazers regular season schedule can be found here.