JP Hurlbert celebrates his goal against the US NTDP on Nov. 26, 2025. (Image Credit: Erica Perreaux/CHL)

By Victor Kaisar

Junior Hockey

Blazers’ Hurlbert scores for Team CHL but Team USA wins Prospects Challenge in ‘super overtime’

Nov 27, 2025 | 10:39 AM

LETHBRIDGE — American forward JP Hurlbert scored for Team CHL, but it was the US National Team Development Program (US NTDP) Team that emerged victorious at the 2025 CHL USA prospects challenge this week.

Wednesday (Nov. 26) night in Lethbridge, Team CHL beat Team USA 4-3 in regulation to force a decisive “third game,” which the Americans won. Victor Plante scored the mini-tournament winner at 5:53 of super overtime.

The US NTDP also won Tuesday’s game in Calgary 4-2, though Hurlbert – who was an alternate captain in the opening game – was held scoreless.

Hurlbert, the 17-year-old rookie forward who decommitted from the US NTDP and signed with the Kamloops Blazers this summer, opened the scoring just 34 seconds into Wednesday’s game.

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Both Hurlbert and Kelowna Rockets goaltender Harrison Boettiger, 17, played against former teammates as they were part of the United States NTDP as recently as last season before they signed with Western Hockey League teams.

“I’m going to be a lot of fun,” Hurlbert said about playing against friends and former teammates. “I have a lot of friends over there but to play for Team CHL is a humongous opportunity and I’m just looking forward to it.”

The 17-year-old Hurlbert leads all Canadian Hockey League skaters with 44 points this season. He is also in a three-way tie with Prince George’s Terik Parascak and Moose Jaw’s Lynden Lakovic for the WHL goalscoring lead with 18.

Drafted by the Blazers in the 2023 WHL US Draft, Hurlbert was assigned an ‘A’ rating by NHL Central Scouting last month, indicating a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

The native of Allen, Texas – the reigning WHL player of the month – is the first player to win two WHL Player of the Week awards this season.

As for the Blazers, they’re in the midst of a five-game home stand at Sandman Centre. They’ll host the Spokane Chiefs this Friday (Nov. 28) and the Penticton Vees for the very first time the following night.