J.P. Hurlbert (Image credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

NHL Central Scouting

Hurlbert projected first-round pick; two other Blazers on NHL Central Scouting preliminary players list

Oct 20, 2025 | 10:16 AM

KAMLOOPS — Three Kamloops Blazers are on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Central Scouting preliminary players to watch list.

Leading the Western Hockey League (WHL) in goals and points with 11 and 24 respectively as of Monday (Oct. 20), Blazers forward J.P. Hurlbert was given an ‘A’ grade as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

The 17-year-old from Allen, Texas was selected 20th overall by the Blazers in the 2023 WHL US Prospect Draft. Hurlbert is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey with the University of Michigan in 2026-27.

Hurlbert would be the first Blazers to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft since centre Connor Zary was taken 24th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2020.

Elsewhere, two Blazers were given ‘W’ ratings indicating them as potential sixth- or seventh-round picks in the NHL Entry Draft.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 4, 2025

10h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Dec 03, 2025

Question of the Week

Will the amount of money you spend on Christmas be more or less than last year?

Dec 01, 2025

Defenceman Dryden Deobald, 17, has two assists in 11 games in his first full season as a Blazer. Goaltender Logan Edmonstone, 18, is sporting a 3-2-1 record with a 0.906 save percentage and 3.13 goals against average in eight games in his second full season with the Blazers.

The Blazers have had at least one player selected in the NHL Entry Draft for 14 consecutive years. In 2024, forwards Nathan Behm and Tommy Lafreniere were selected by the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, respectively, in the third round.

The Blazers host the Medicine Hat Tigers Friday (Oct. 24) at Sandman Centre. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.