Landon DuPont

Early Life and Minor Hockey

Landon DuPont was born into a hockey family in Calgary, Alberta. His father, Micki DuPont, was a professional defenceman who played 23 games in the National Hockey League across stints with the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues, in addition to a long career in the American Hockey League and European leagues. Landon's early hockey development was unique, as he spent part of his childhood in Europe where his father played. He participated in minor hockey programs in Kloten, Switzerland, and Berlin, Germany, often competing against players three years older by playing in the 2006-born age group alongside his older brother. The family returned to Canada in 2019, where DuPont's advanced skills became immediately apparent within the Canadian development system. He enrolled at the Edge School in Calgary, a renowned sport school, to continue his athletic and academic training.

As a 14-year-old, DuPont played at the under-18 level for the Edge School in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). Despite being the youngest player on his team by a significant margin, he quickly established himself as a dominant, centralizing force on the blue line. Coaches showed immense trust in his abilities, frequently deploying him for upwards of 40 minutes of ice time in some games, which accounted for two-thirds of a standard match. In the 2023-24 CSSHL season, DuPont's offensive prowess was on full display as he scored 19 goals and recorded 62 points in just 30 regular season games. This performance led his team in scoring and set a new league record for single-season points by a defenceman. His excellence continued into the playoffs, where he tied the postseason scoring record previously set by Dylan Guenther, registering five goals and 16 points to lead the Edge School to a league championship, an achievement for which he was named playoff Most Valuable Player.

Exceptional Status and Western Hockey League Career

On April 8, 2024, Hockey Canada announced that Landon DuPont had been granted exceptional player status, allowing him to enter the Canadian Hockey League as a 15-year-old for the 2024-25 season. This made him the ninth player in CHL history to receive the designation, following names like John Tavares, Connor McDavid, and Connor Bedard, and only the third defenceman after Aaron Ekblad and Sean Day. Specifically for the Western Hockey League, DuPont became just the second player ever granted exceptional status, after Connor Bedard, and the first defenceman. His junior rights were held by the Everett Silvertips, who selected him first overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft on May 9, 2024, marking the first time the Silvertips franchise had ever held the top selection. DuPont officially signed with the Silvertips on August 6, 2024.

DuPont's immediate impact in the WHL was significant and noted from his first game. From his debut, he was entrusted with a major role, logging 26 minutes of ice time in his first game. He recorded 11 points in his initial seven WHL contests, a tally surpassed among exceptional status players only by Connor Bedard. On February 2, 2025, DuPont notched his 50th point of the season, becoming the first 16-year-old or younger defenceman to reach that threshold since Scott Niedermayer accomplished the feat in the 1989-90 season. He finished his remarkable rookie campaign with 17 goals and 43 assists for 60 points in 64 games. His performance earned him the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year. At the CHL level, he was further honoured as the CHL Rookie of the Year, joining John Tavares and Shane Wright as the only exceptional status players to win that award, and was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and the CHL Third All-Star Team. DuPont returned to the Everett Silvertips for the 2025-26 season and improved his performance. He led the team on a strong playoff run that culminated in a WHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup final. In the 2025-26 regular season, he recorded 73 points, including 18 goals and 55 assists, in 63 games.

• 2024-25 Season: 60 points (17G, 43A) in 64 GP. WHL & CHL Rookie of the Year.
• 2025-26 Season: 73 points (18G, 55A) in 63 GP. 23 points (5G, 18A) in 18 playoff games.
• Team Success: Led Everett to the 2026 WHL Championship, losing only two playoff games.
• Memorial Cup: Helped Everett reach the 2026 Memorial Cup Final, recording 6 points (2G, 4A) in 4 tournament games.

The Silvertips' 2026 championship run established DuPont's legacy in Everett before he departed for the NCAA. The team cruised through the WHL playoffs, losing just two games, and advanced to the Memorial Cup final in May 2026. They were defeated 6-2 by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League in that final. DuPont recorded 23 points, with five goals and 18 assists, in 18 playoff games during that championship run.

Collegiate Career and Draft Prospect Status

On June 24, 2026, Landon DuPont announced his commitment to play college hockey for the University of Michigan Wolverines, beginning with the 2026-27 NCAA season. This move positioned him to play his draft-eligible season against older, more physically mature competition in one of U.S. college hockey's premier programs. By August 2026, leading scouting services including ESPN and NHL Central Scouting had consolidated their rankings, unanimously listing DuPont as the number one overall prospect for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. Analysts have frequently compared his two-way game and offensive instincts from the blue line to those of recent top defencemen like Owen Power and Cale Makar, noting his readiness for the next level.

DuPont joined a Michigan Wolverines roster laden with NHL-drafted talent, expected to feature up to 17 drafted players including five first-round selections. From the outset of his freshman season, he was integrated into a significant role, quarterbacking the team's top power-play unit and seeing time on the penalty kill. Through his first four collegiate games, DuPont averaged nearly 19 minutes of ice time per contest and contributed five assists with a plus-7 rating, demonstrating quick adaptation to the faster, more structured NCAA game. Scouts have highlighted his elite core competencies, including his skating speed, hockey intelligence, competitive drive, and detailed defensive play, which collectively make him the most complete prospect in his draft class. His early performance at Michigan reinforced the pre-season rankings that placed him at the top of his draft year, and he has stated his goal is to win a championship with the Wolverines.

International Play

Landon DuPont has represented Canada on the international stage at under-17 and under-18 levels, consistently playing against older competition. At the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, he was the only 2009-born player selected for either Canadian squad (Canada Red or Canada White). DuPont served as captain for Canada Red, leading the team to a silver medal while posting a team-best four points in four games. His performance earned him a spot on the tournament all-star team, confirming his status as a standout player among his peers. He continued his international career at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an annual under-18 tournament where he was once again the sole 2009-born player on the Canadian national junior team.

He was named one of four alternate captains for the Canadian squad at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, reflecting his leadership and maturity within the group. Canada finished the tournament with a bronze medal, and DuPont contributed four assists over the course of five games. Looking ahead, a key objective for DuPont's 2026-27 season is to earn a spot on Canada's roster for the 2027 World Junior Championship, which will be hosted in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. Making that team would provide another major platform to demonstrate his skills against the world's best junior players in his draft year, and he has expressed that playing in that tournament is a significant personal goal.

Playing Style and Scouting Report

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Landon DuPont is a right-shot defenceman renowned for a complete, modern two-way game. Scouts consistently praise the elite level of his foundational skills: he plays with exceptional pace, possesses a high hockey IQ for reading plays in all three zones, and exhibits relentless competitiveness. His skating is a particular strength, allowing him to join the rush effectively, retreat defensively with speed, and maneuver at the blue line to create offensive chances. DuPont drives play when he has the puck, facilitates transition offence, and engages physically to win puck battles in all areas of the rink.

His game intelligence manifests in subtle, impactful ways. He anticipates opposition breakout passes to create intercepts, makes smart decisions with possession to avoid high-risk turnovers, and understands how to use his movement on the power play to manipulate penalty killers and create space for teammates. Defensively, he is noted for his commitment to detail, such as proper positioning in front of the net and diligent coverage below the goal line. This combination of offensive dynamism and defensive responsibility makes him a reliable player coaches can deploy in all situations, a trait already evident in his early usage at the University of Michigan where he plays on both special teams units. His ability to react and correct mistakes quickly is a trait that separates him from many other prospects, and his willingness to defend is notable given his elite offensive talent.

Personal Life

Landon DuPont is the son of former professional hockey player Micki DuPont. His father's career, which spanned the NHL, AHL, and numerous European leagues, provided Landon with a deep understanding of the professional hockey landscape from a young age. Micki's experience as a defenceman has also been a resource for Landon's own development on the blue line. The family's time living in Europe during Micki's playing career contributed to Landon's early and unconventional hockey development. Landon has spoken about using his father's journey as a guide for managing the pressures and expectations that come with being a top prospect, aiming to treat external hype as "outside noise" and focus on development and team success. He stated that playing with pressure is something hockey players learn from a young age, and his experiences in recent years have helped him adapt to increasing scrutiny as he progresses towards his professional goals.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Landon DuPont has demonstrated consistent offensive production from the blue line across multiple levels of play. In the 2023-24 CSSHL season with the Edge School, he scored 19 goals and 62 points in 30 games, setting a league record for defencemen. During his first WHL season in 2024-25, he finished with 17 goals and 43 assists for 60 points in 64 games. In his second WHL season in 2025-26, he improved to 73 points from 18 goals and 55 assists in 63 regular season games.

DuPont's career is decorated with several major honours that highlight his precocious talent and immediate impact. He won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 and was later awarded the CHL Rookie of the Year trophy. He was also named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and the CHL Third All-Star Team. In the CSSHL, he won a league title and was named playoff MVP after tying the playoff scoring record with 16 points.

• CSSHL U18: League Champion, Playoff MVP (2024). Single-season points record for a defenceman (62).
• WHL: Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) (2025). WHL Champion (2026).
• CHL: CHL Rookie of the Year (2025). CHL All-Rookie Team (2025). CHL Third All-Star Team (2025).
• International: World U-17 Challenge Silver Medal, Tournament All-Star (2024). Hlinka Gretzky Cup Bronze Medal, Alternate Captain (2025).
• Draft: Projected 1st overall pick for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft (ESPN, NHL Central Scouting).

Questions about Landon DuPont

Has Landon DuPont played for Team Canada?

Yes, Landon DuPont has represented Canada in international competition. In 2024, he captained Canada Red to a silver medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, earning tournament all-star honours. In 2025, he served as an alternate captain for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup under-18 tournament, where the team won a bronze medal. He has consistently been the youngest player on these Canadian rosters, demonstrating his ability to compete effectively against older peers on the world stage.

What is Landon DuPont's draft projection for the NHL?

Landon DuPont is the consensus number one overall prospect for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. Since August 2026, major outlets including ESPN and NHL Central Scouting have ranked him as the top prospect. He is a 6 foot, 190 pound right shot defenceman who moved to the NCAA for his draft season after elite production in the WHL. His complete two way game, offensive instincts, and strong start with the University of Michigan have solidified his position at the top of draft boards.

Why did Landon DuPont get exceptional player status?

Landon DuPont was granted exceptional player status on April 8, 2024, allowing him to enter the Canadian Hockey League a year early. He became the ninth player in CHL history to receive this status due to his dominant play at the under 18 level. As a 14 year old with the Edge School, he set a league record for points by a defenceman with 62 points in 30 games and was named playoff MVP. This demonstrated his physical, mental, and emotional readiness for major junior hockey.

Which WHL team drafted Landon DuPont and what did he achieve there?

Landon DuPont was selected first overall by the Everett Silvertips in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. In his rookie season (2024 25), he recorded 60 points in 64 games and won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year. The following season, he led Everett to a WHL championship and a Memorial Cup final appearance, posting 73 points in the regular season and 23 points in the playoffs. He was also named the CHL Rookie of the Year and to the CHL All Rookie Team.

Why did DuPont choose the University of Michigan for college?

DuPont committed to the University of Michigan Wolverines for the 2026 27 season to develop against older, more experienced competition in the NCAA. He viewed the faster, bigger game as a step closer to the professional level. He was attracted to Michigan's historic program and its roster, which was expected to feature up to 17 NHL drafted players. DuPont stated his decision was about development and the challenge, not a reflection on his positive experience with the Everett Silvertips organization.

Who is Landon DuPont's father and how has he influenced his career?

Landon DuPont's father is Micki DuPont, a former professional defenceman who played 23 NHL games for the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues. Micki also had an extensive career in the AHL, European leagues, and with the Canadian national team. Landon has credited his father's experience with providing guidance on handling the pressures of high level hockey. This has helped him manage expectations and treat external hype as noise while focusing on his development.

Sources and further reading

• Landon DuPont (Wikipedia)
• DuPont, projected No. 1 pick in 2027 NHL Draft, gearing up ... (nhl.com)
• Why Landon DuPont is ranked No. 1 for 2027 NHL Draft (sportsnet.ca)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-27.