Hurlbert’s parents rave about Kamloops, Blazers’ organization; father Jeff says tough decision likely ahead for J.P.

JEFF HURLBERT

CFJC: Let’s start with that [player-intro] video. Do you have some kind of WWE background or training in media? You had those guys fired up.

JH: It was a big rivalry, obviously, with PG and we’ve been going back and forth with them all season and I figured I had to do something loud and obnoxious. I’ve got to be honest with you, I saw Paul Bissonnette do it and I stole a little bit of Biz’s thunder because he’s got the boys’ ear, so hats off to Biz.

CFJC: How has Parents’ Weekend been for your family?

JH: It’s been fantastic. The Blazers’ organization, from Tom [Blazers’ majority owner Tom Gaglardi] to Shaun [Blazers’ head coach and GM Shaun Clouston] to Tim [Blazers’ assistant GM Tim O’Donovan], Marrs and Tomes [Blazers’ assistant coaches Steve Marr and Brayden Toma] all the way down, they just do such a great job of welcoming everybody. It’s just a first-class organization.

CFJC: How do you assess the decision for J.P. to come to Kamloops?

JH: I couldn’t be happier with the decision, everything about it. The city’s fantastic, it’s beautiful, the people are very welcoming and friendly, the team’s been great, the players, they’ve really bonded and they enjoy each other’s company on and off the ice. It’s been a perfect 10 so far for us.

CFJC: Why did you decide to bring J.P. here?

JH: There was obviously a change with the rules in NCAA and J.P. had always wanted to go to the University of Michigan, but we thought with the rule change, the CHL’s widely regarded as the best junior league in the world and we thought that this would be a good way for him to find out where he stacks up relative to his peers.

CFJC: Why is the University of Michigan such an important institution to your family?

JH: Well, J.P. would be a fourth-generation Wolverine, so the blood runs pretty thick in our family with the University of Michigan. We left it up to him and it wasn’t something that we mandated him to do, but he was running around the house with a winged helmet on when he was two years old and that’s what he decided to do at some point.

CFJC: There’s a million-dollar question that I have to ask you that’s on the minds of people in Kamloops. Is there a world in which he comes back here next season?

JH: You know, it’s funny, we were talking about that this weekend. Has that decision been finalized? No. So, I’d love to give you an answer, but I don’t have the answer myself to be honest, nor does he. So, we’ll see what comes of the next five, six weeks and go from there.

CFJC: Would you say the likelihood of that decision being a yes [to come back to Kamloops] has increased based on how this season has gone and how he’s been treated here?

JH: I think what we’ll probably do is take a step back at the end of the season. Hopefully, in May, in the Memorial Cup. But there are a lot of different variables that will come into play and it’s going to be obviously a very tough decision because it’s been such a great experience.

CFJC: The Blazers have been shooting their shot publicly, saying, ‘We back our program,’ and they hope to get as many of the NCAA commits to return as possible. They could potentially have a great team next season. Has J.P. talked about that or does that factor into things a little bit?

JH: Oh, I’m sure it does. You know, it’s one of those things, right? You never want it to end. Unfortunately, hockey, like all sports and all teams, it’s never the same. There’s always slight, subtle changes. But I know he loves it here. He loves playing with the guys and he loves the guys in the locker room. So, whatever decision he makes, I’m sure it won’t be easy.

CFJC: What about the financial side of things, the money he might make if he goes to college versus the money he might make by signing in the NHL? Does that factor in?

JH: Yeah, obviously. Hopefully, that NHL decision is part of the situation. We won’t know that for some time. There’s always a financial impact. Fortunately, we’re in a situation where that’s not one of the paramount variables. But, obviously, every time you come into a decision like that, it’s something you have to value. Wherever it goes, this season will be a special one. When he winds up his career, he’ll always remember it.

CFJC: Last one, just on the fan base here. He’s been called the Texas Tornado. People have embraced him here. What’s it been like for you as a dad to see him rise to stardom in Kamloops?

JH: I was here for that first night. That was one I’ll never forget. I didn’t know what to anticipate, but that’s the thing about hockey – you’re only as good as the guys around you. It’s a team game and you can pick a player, they all get along and they all trust one another and they all contribute to their success. And I think that’s why this team’s got a chance to go the distance.

SARAH HURLBERT

CFJC: How has the weekend been so far?

SH: The weekend has been amazing. I’ll tell you what, Kamloops and the Blazers are so welcoming. From the families, the fans, it’s been fun getting to know the other parents that are involved as well, so we’ve absolutely loved it.

CFJC: I was just talking to Jeff about the pressure on J.P. when we came here. It’s not often you experience something like that at 17 years old. Did you have any concerns about that as a mother?

SH: What was most important to me is that he was in a spot where he was happy and surrounded by love and support. If he was in that environment, I knew he would thrive. So I had no doubt when we came and we visited Kamloops that he was in the best place he could be.

CFJC: Looking back now on the decision for J.P. to come to Kamloops, how do you assess it?

SH: Absolutely hands down best decision we could have made. I give a lot of credit to Shaun and the leadership here with the Kamloops Blazers. The team and the family environment that they’ve created really puts the players in a spot where they’re thriving in the locker room and that translates out to the ice, as well.

CFJC: Anything else you want to add?

SH: Just that we love Kamloops. I never had a reason to visit Kamloops prior to this. And now I’m already telling Jeff I want to retire here. Like, really and truly, I think this is a gem. It’s a very special spot and Kamloops will always be our heart.

CFJC: If there was a scenario that brought J.P. back here, would you be OK with that?

SH: I’m happy wherever it makes sense for him to go next.

by Marty Hastings

Hurlbert’s parents rave about Kamloops, Blazers’ organization; father Jeff says tough decision likely ahead for J.P.

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