Blazers’ Hurlbert finishes 12th on NHL Central Scouting final rankings; Evaschesen sneaks in
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KAMLOOPS — A pair of Kamloops Blazers have made the National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting final rankings list.
J.P. Hurlbert finished 12th overall among North American skaters, down slightly from his mid-term ranking of 10th. He is still projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Should that happen, Hurlbert will become the first Blazer taken in the first round since Connor Zary in 2020.
The 18-year-old Hurlbert from Allen, Texas led the Kamloops Blazers with 42 goals and 97 points in 68 games during the 2025-26 Western Hockey League (WHL) season. Hurlbert finished fourth in overall points in the WHL and was tied for fourth goals scored.
A nominee for the WHL player of the year and rookie of the year award, Hurlbert is committed to play NCAA hockey at the University of Michigan in 2026-27, though he has not yet decided if he will delay his university career to return to Kamloops.
