(Image Credit: Brian Johnson/Kamloops Blazers)

By Victor Kaisar

WHL All-Star

Blazers’ Hurlbert cracks WHL First All-Star Team

Mar 31, 2026 | 3:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s another feather in J.P. Hurlbert’s cap, as the Kamloops Blazers forward has been recognized for his exploits this WHL season.

The 17-year-old Hurlbert led the Blazers in scoring in his rookie season and earned a spot on the WHL’s Western Conference First All-Star Team. Hurlbert finished fourth in overall WHL scoring with 97 points and was tied for fourth in goals with 42. He also led all rookies in goals and points this season.

Hey now, you’re an all-star! ⭐️

Congratulations to JP Hurlbert on being named to the 2025-26 Western Conference First All-Star Team! pic.twitter.com/98cCl6w3OX

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 31, 2026

The ‘Texas Tornado’ was the first Blazer to reach the 40-goal mark since Kamloopsian Logan Stankoven achieved the feat in the 2021-2022 season. He’s a two-time WHL Rookie of the Month award winner, and was also the WHL’s Player of the Month for September/October.

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.

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Supporting small businesses in B.C.

2h ago

The Creative Edge

PEARCE: Beyond fear - how schools can support safety

Mar 31, 2026

Question of the Week

Will the election of Avi Lewis as NDP leader improve the party's chances in the next federal election?

Mar 30, 2026

A pair of Prince George Cougars’ – goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen and 2026-draft eligible defenceman Carson Carels – also cracked the Western Conference First All-Star Team, as did a pair of skaters with ties to the Blazers.

Everett Silvertips defenceman Landon DuPont, son of former Blazer Micki DuPont, and Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla, son of Blazers legend Jarome Iginla, were also voted onto the all-star team.

Presenting the 2025-26 First All-Star Team from the Western Conference!

📝 | https://t.co/E3UtCyvxNk pic.twitter.com/fDbQew190X

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 31, 2026

Hurlbert and the Blazers trail the best-of-seven WHL Western Conference quarter-final series against the Rockets 2-0 following a pair of defeats in Kelowna. They’ll hope to right the shift as the series shifts to Kamloops for games three and four Tuesday and Wednesday (March 31 and April 1).

Puck drop from Sandman Centre is at 7:00 p.m. on both nights.