Image Credit: WHL

By Victor Kaisar

WHL Rookie of the Week

Blazers’ Hurlbert named WHL Rookie of the Week for second time this season

Dec 1, 2025 | 1:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — JP Hurlbert’s exploits on the ice continue to be recognized by the Western Hockey League.

The Kamloops Blazers forward has been named the WHL’s Rookie of the Week for the week ending Nov. 30. It’s the second such award for the 17-year-old Hurlbert, who was the league’s first Rookie of the Week award winner this season.

The ‘Texas Tornado’ is also a two-time winner of the WHL Player of the Week award and was also the first winner of the WHL’s Player of the Month award.

Hurlbert tallied four points (two goals and two assists) in two games with the Blazers this past weekend. He also scored a goal while playing for Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.

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Friday (Nov. 28) night in Kamloops, Hurlbert became the first player to hit the 20-goal milestone in the WHL. He scored twice and added an assist as the Blazers held on to edge the Spokane Chiefs, 5-4.

The following night, Hurlbert extended his point streak to eight games with an assist as the Blazers beat the Penticton Vees, 7-5. He’s tallied 14 points in that eight game streak that began on Nov. 11.

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft-eligible forward leads all Canadian Hockey League players in scoring with 48 points in 27 games. He also leads all WHL skaters in goals scored with 20.

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.

Hurlbert will aim to extend his point streak — and become the first CHL player to hit 50 points — this weekend as the Blazers play a home-and-home against the Vees.

Friday (Dec. 5) night is the Blazers annual Teddy Bear Toss game and the team is scheduled to make its first-ever trip to Penticton the following night.