JP Hurlbert about to score against the Prince George Cougars on Dec. 30, 2025. (Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

WHL Top Prospects

Blazers’ Hurlbert named Team West alternate captain for inaugural WHL Prospects Game

Feb 5, 2026 | 12:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert will serve as an alternate captain for Team West at the inaugural edition of the WHL Prospects Game later this month.

The 17-year-old Hurlbert was named to the leadership group Thursday (Feb. 5) alongside captain Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars and alternate captains Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants and Jakub Vanecek of the Tri-City Americans. 

The ‘Texas Tornado’ leads all Canadian Hockey League skaters in scoring with 79 points (34 goals and 45 assists) in 50 games. He’s tied second in goals among all WHL skaters and is fourth in assists this season.

LEADING THE WEST!

The Western Hockey League has announced the leadership group for Team West ahead of the 2026 #WHLProspectsGame presented by @showpassevents.

📝 | https://t.co/mSHjOWpLXM pic.twitter.com/VQAx04dlxc

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 5, 2026

Hurlbert is a two-time WHL Rookie of the Month award winner, and he’s won a WHL monthly award in three of four months this season. Ranked 10th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, Hurlbert is projected to be a first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

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A first-round pick of the Blazers in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, Hurlbert left the US National Team program and signed with the Blazers in August last year. He represented Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in November and was an alternate captain for the first game in Calgary.

Kamloops Blazers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston will serve as head coach for Team East at the WHL Prospects Game, which is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Langley Events Centre.

The Blazers head to Washington state to continue their five-game road trip against the WHL-leading Everett Silvertips this Friday (Feb. 6).