CALGARY – Hockey Canada granted exceptional player status to Landon DuPont, a 14-year-old defenseman from Calgary, on Monday.
That means DuPont will be eligible for the Western Hockey League draft on May 9 and will be able to play in the league on a full-time basis starting next season.
DuPont is the first defenseman and second player in league history to receive exceptional player status.
The first was Chicago Blackhawks Beginner Connor Bedard (2020).
DuPont is the ninth player – and third defenseman – in Canadian Hockey League history to receive the award since its inception in 2005. Other people who have received this award include: Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (2005), Florida Panthers defender Aaron Ekblad (2011) and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (2012).
“Landon is a great young man who not only has tremendous talent on the ice, but also grew up with solid moral character, a positive attitude and a great work ethic,” said WHL Commissioner Dan Near.
“With these attributes, he truly deserves to be among the outstanding players ahead of him and we look forward to him continuing his development in the WHL.”
Of the seven exempt players who graduated from the CHL, six were selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, including four – Tavares, Ekblad, McDavid and Bedard – who were selected first overall.
The most recent player before DuPont to receive exempt status was forward Michael Misa, who was selected first overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Draft. He is considered a top prospect for next year’s NHL draft.
“I am very honored to receive this award,” said DuPont. “I look forward to continuing my development in the WHL and will work hard every day to continue to improve.”
The 1.70 meter tall, 70 kilogram DuPont spent the 2023/24 season at Edge School, a U18 prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.
He scored 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) in 30 regular season games, ranking first among defensemen and third overall as Edge won the league title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2024.
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