After a 97 point regular season in his first year, the Western Hockey League has announced that Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert has been awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year.
Hurlbert was one of six finalists up for the award including Brock Cripps of the Prince Albert Raiders, Kale Dach from the Calgary Hitmen, Penticton Vees rookie Jacob Kvasnicka, Ben MacBeath of the Calgary Hitmen and Matias Vanhanen of the Everett Silvertips.
Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Hurlbert is the top-ranked U.S. born forward in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, identified as the No. 12 skater in North America.
He is the third player in Kamloops Blazers history to win the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, following Scottie Upshall (2000-01) and Ron Shudra (1985-86).
Hailing from Allen, Texas, Hurlbert is also only the second Texas-born player to be named WHL Rookie of the Year, with Arlington’s Seth Jones having won the award as a member of the Portland Winterhawks in 2012-13.
The 18-year-old Hurlbert was a relentless force all season long for the Blazers.
His 97 points were tops among all WHL rookies and tied for first across the entire Canadian Hockey League with Nikita Klepov of the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit (37G-60A).
Poster announcing JP Hurlbert as finalist for WHL Player of the Year honors/via Kamloops Blazers
Hulbert was named to the WHL’s Western Conference First All-Star Team and is a finalist for the WHL’s Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, which is presented annually to the WHL Player of the Year.
Despite the accolades, Hurlbert finds himself sitting at home, rather than in Slovakia this week for the U-18 Men’s World Hockey Championships, after Team USA opted not to put him on its roster in what seems to be lingering “bad blood” over his decision to leave USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program to play for the Blazers this past season.
Hurlbert’s 97 points go into the history books as the most productive rookie campaign in Kamloops Blazers history, besting the likes of Upshall, who recorded 87 points in 2000-01. Only three rookies have ever surpassed the 40-goal plateau in Kamloops Blazers history – Hurlbert, Latvian forward Rudolfs Balcers (40, 2016-17), and Upshall (42, 2000-01).
Serving as an alternate captain for the Blazers, the 6-foot, 182-pound Hurlbert finished among the WHL leaders in numerous offensive categories, including points (fourth), goals (T-4th), first goals (T-2nd), and assists (T-8th).
JP Hurlbert signing his agreement to be part of the Kamloops Blazers for the 2025/26 season/via Kamloops Blazers
Over the course of the campaign, Hurlbert logged three hat tricks on home ice, including on September 20 against Spokane, January 16 versus Prince George and March 20 up against Vancouver.
He also secured six four-point outings throughout the season.
In November, Hurlbert was selected to represent Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alta. In February, he was named to the leadership group for Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game in Langley, B.C.
The WHL Rookie of the Year Award is voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.
