The breakout season of Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlburt just got a major stamp of validation from NHL Central Scouting.
Hurlburt was one of just 27 players across North America and Europe to receive an “A” rating on Central Scouting’s preliminary Players to Watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft, released Monday. The coveted grade marks him as a potential first-round pick — a status earned by only a select few at this early stage of the scouting process.
The 17-year-old has exploded out of the gates this WHL season, posting a league-best 24 points in the opening month. His dynamic offensive game has made him one of the most talked-about prospects in Canadian major junior hockey.
While projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna — now starring for Penn State in the NCAA — dominates headlines, Hurlburt is building a case as one of the top forwards in the WHL and a serious challenger to be among the first names called next June.
“JP Hurlburt is showing exactly what NHL scouts are looking for — speed, creativity, and finish,” said a WHL scout familiar with Central Scouting’s process. “He’s commanding the game every time he hits the ice.”
The “A” rating places Hurlburt alongside other high-profile names like McKenna, Keaton Verhoeff (University of North Dakota), and Ethan Belchetz (Windsor, OHL), all of whom are projected to be drafted in the first round.
It’s a significant recognition not only for Hurlburt but for the Blazers organization, which is in the midst of a rebuild and looking for its next marquee NHL product.
Hurlburt is one of five WHL players to receive an “A” rating, a group that includes fellow top prospects Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants), Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars), Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders), and Mathis Preston (Spokane Chiefs).
Two other Kamloops players were also featured on the NHL Central Scouting list: goaltender Logan Edmonstone and defenseman Dryden Deobald, both earning “C” ratings — meaning they are considered potential late-round selections.
This year’s Players to Watch list is particularly significant due to recent changes in NCAA eligibility rules, allowing Canadian Hockey League players like McKenna to make the jump to college hockey. But Hurlburt’s early success underscores that the WHL continues to be a powerhouse pipeline for top-end NHL talent.
The preliminary list will be updated throughout the season as NHL scouts continue to evaluate eligible prospects across junior, college, and international leagues.
If Hurlburt maintains his early-season pace, don’t be surprised if he cements himself not just as a first-rounder — but as one of the top names on the board next summer.