Landon DuPont
| Landon DuPont | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 DuPont with the Everett Silvertips in 2024 | |||
| Born |
May 28, 2009 Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 177 lb (80 kg; 12 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Defenceman | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| WHL team | Everett Silvertips | ||
| NHL draft | Eligible 2027 | ||
Landon DuPont (born May 28, 2009) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The ninth player to be granted exceptional player status in the history of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), DuPont is eligible for the 2027 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
DuPont played youth hockey in Kloten, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany, often playing with his older brother in the 2006-born age group, three years above his own. He moved to Canada in 2019.[1]
As a 14-year-old, DuPont played under-18 hockey for the Edge School in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), where despite being by far the youngest on the team he was a dominant, centralizing force. In some matches, he would see 40 minutes of time on ice; two-thirds of the game.[1] In the 2023–24 season, he scored 19 goals and 62 points in 30 games, leading his team and setting a league record for single-season points by a defenceman.[2][3] In the playoffs, he tied the playoff scoring record set by Dylan Guenther with five goals and 16 points en route to a league title and championship MVP award.[4][5]
On April 8, 2024, it was announced that DuPont would receive exceptional player status to enter the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in the 2024–25 season, becoming the ninth exceptional status player and the third defenceman. He became the second Western Hockey League (WHL) player to receive exceptional status, after Connor Bedard, and the first defenceman.[6][7][8] On May 9, 2024, DuPont was selected first overall in the 2024 WHL prospects draft by the Everett Silvertips, becoming the first top pick in Silvertips history.[9] He signed with the Silvertips on August 6.[10]
From the moment he entered the WHL, DuPont was trusted with a big role on the Silvertips, logging 26 minutes in his debut. He took the trust of his coaches and ran with it, recording eleven points in his first seven games, more than any other exceptional status player through that span except for Bedard.[11]
International play
At the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, DuPont was the only 2009-born player on either of the Canadian teams, captaining Canada Red to a silver medal with a team-best four points in as many games before earning tournament all-star honours.[1][12]
Personal life
DuPont's father Micki DuPont played 23 NHL games across four seasons with the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues, as well as in the American Hockey League, in various European leagues, and for the Canadian national team.[1][13][14]
Career statistics
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Canada Red | U17 | 
|
4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||||
References
- ^ a b c d Wheeler, Scott (November 14, 2024). "Meet Landon DuPont: WHL exceptional status star, top 2027 NHL Draft prospect and 'Grouchy Bear'". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ "Hockey Canada grants Calgary defenceman Landon DuPont exceptional player status". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Kury de Castillo, Carolyn (April 8, 2024). "Calgary 14-year-old hockey player distinguished as 'exceptional player' by WHL". Global News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ "CHL grants DuPont exceptional status to enter WHL in 2024-25". The Sports Network. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Vickers, Aaron (April 8, 2024). "DuPont to play in Western Hockey League next season as 15-year-old". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Wyshynsky, Greg (April 8, 2024). "Landon DuPont gets OK to compete in WHL full-time at 15". ESPN. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Ferrari, Tony (April 7, 2024). "Who is Landon DuPont, the Second Player To Be Granted Exceptional Status in the WHL?". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Francis, Eric (April 8, 2024). "Life changes in a hurry for the CHL's latest exceptional player — Landon DuPont". Sportsnet. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Sherif, Omar (May 9, 2024). "Calgary's Landon DuPont picked 1st overall in WHL draft". CBC News. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Kierszenblat, Adam (August 6, 2024). "Everett Silvertips Sign Exceptional Status Player Landon DuPont". The Hockey News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Ferrari, Tony (October 12, 2024). "Everett Silvertips' Landon DuPont Off To An Exceptional Start In The WHL". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ Petryshen, Dawson (November 10, 2024). "World U17 Challenge Concludes In All-Canada Showdown, Three WHL Players Named To All-Star Team". The Hockey News. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ "Silvertips select defenceman Landon DuPont first overall in WHL Draft". Sportsnet. May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ Stoller, Jacob (April 8, 2024). "'It's Very Humbling': Landon DuPont Officially Granted Exceptional Status Into WHL; What Happens Now?". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com