DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today selected forward J.P. Hurlbert in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. Prior to the pick, the Red Wings acquired the 23rd overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for goaltender Sebastian Cossa.
Hurlbert spent the 2025-26 season with the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers and ranked among the team leaders with 42 goals (1st), 55 assists (1st), 97 points (1st), a plus-13 rating (T2nd), 45 penalty minutes (3rd), nine power play goals (T2nd), 30 power play points (1st), one shorthanded goal (T3rd), four game-winning goals (T3rd) and 294 shots (1st). The 6-foot, 190-pound forward also recorded three points (1-2-3) and six penalty minutes in four postseason contests with the Blazers. Hurlbert was named the recipient of the 2025-26 Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year after leading all first-year players in goals and points. He was also selected to the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team. Hurlbert is committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 campaign.
A native of Allen, Texas, Hurlbert played the 2024-25 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. In all, Hurlbert tallied 37 points (19-18-37) and 46 penalty minutes in 56 games with the NTDP’s under-17 squad in 2024-25. He logged 31 points (16-15-31) and 38 penalty minutes in 34 games with Team USA in the United States Hockey League during the 2024-25 campaign. Hurlbert played minor hockey with the Dallas Stars Elite AAA program prior to joining the NTDP. On the international stage, Hurlbert represented his country at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, picking up three assists in five appearances.
