17-year-old American forward JP Hurlbert is expected to participate in the forthcoming Kamloops Blazers training camp which opens next Thursday, August 28th at the Sandman Centre.

Hurlbert has apparently left the US National Development Program a year early and will head to the WHL club.

The Blazers drafted Hurlbert as a bit of a flyer pick in the 2023 WHL US Priority Draft.

He was the 20^th overall selection in the 1^st round.

The Blazers haven’t commented on the news, but word has been trickling out from hockey prospects insiders online.

If it pans out, he would arguably be one of the most highly touted American players to join the Blazers in recent years.

The Blazers haven’t carried a lot of American-born players, but have showcased the likes of Ray Macias, CJ Stretch, Corey Fienhage & Chase Souto through the system.

The Texas-born Hurlbert is projected to be a late 1^st round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft next summer.

He spent this past season with the US National Development Program where he put up 31 points in 34 games playing against USHL opposition.

He led Team USA to a gold medal at the World Youth Olympics in South Korea in 2024, where he scored four goals and added three assists for seven points in four games.

Hurlburt has already committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season.

More could be known early next week ahead of the Blazers’ training camp, which will run from Thursday, September 28th to Monday, September 1st.