JP Hurlbert (L) and Carson Carels celebrate a goal during the 2026 WHL Prospects Game at the Langley Events Centre. (Image Credit: Screengrab via WHL/Victory+)

By Victor Kaisar

East 5 West 4 OT

Hurlbert has two points but Team West loses inaugural WHL Prospects Game to Team East

Feb 19, 2026 | 11:15 AM

LANGLEY, B.C. — Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert had a goal and an assist but his Team West dropped a 5-4 decision to Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game Wednesday (Feb. 18) night at the Langley Events Centre.

Hurlbert, the leading scorer in the Canadian Hockey League with 84 points from 55 games, snapped a quick shot past Carter Casey to tie the game at 4-4 with 6:19 to go. It was the second time Team West tied the scoring, after they erased a 3-0 deficit.

THE LEAGUES LEADING POINT SCORER!!! 🫨@blazerhockey forward JP Hurlbert (Rank 10 among NA Skaters) scores a nasty goal to tie the game! #WHLProspectsGame | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/LRJqKeKx3A

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 19, 2026

Hurlbert also assisted on Tyus Sparks’ second goal of the game which made it a 3-2 affair. The native of Allen, Texas made a perfect cross-ice pass to Sparks, who wired a one-timer past Casey in the opening minute of the third period.

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What a feed by JP! 🔥pic.twitter.com/VPvh3HauRn

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 19, 2026

Team East, which was being coached by Blazers head coach and GM Shaun Clouston led 3-0 early in the second period after goals from Landon Amrhein, Zach Olsen, and Giorgos Pantelas. Sparks pulled one back at 17:23 of the second to make it a 3-1 affair.

Goals from Sparks and Brody Gillespie tied the game at 3-3 at 3:37 of the third before Liam Ruck put Team East back in front at 7:24. Hurlbert then knotted things up on the power play six minutes later to send the game to overtime.

Daxon Rudolph scored the winner just 14 seconds in the extra frame to lead Team East to victory. The Prince Albert Raiders defenceman was named Team East’s Player of the Game.

Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels was named Player of the Game for Team West as he logged assists on all four goals.