The Western Hockey League announced Tuesday that Kamloops Blazers forward J.P. Hurlbert, a 2026 NHL Draft–eligible prospect, has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for January.
The 6-foot, 182-pound rookie has made an immediate impact in his first WHL season. The January honour marks the third monthly award of the season for Hurlbert, who was previously named Tempo WHL Player of the Month for September/October and Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for November. He is also a two-time recipient of both WHL Player of the Week and WHL Rookie of the Week honours.
In January, the 17-year-old from Allen, Texas, recorded 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in 12 games, helping Kamloops post a 7-2-3-0 record.
Ranked 10th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings, Hurlbert is projected as a first-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.
He posted five multi-point performances during the month, highlighted by a four-point outing (3G, 1A) — including his second career hat trick — in a Jan. 16 overtime loss to Prince George. Hurlbert also registered two three-point games, first on Jan. 23 in a 7-2 road win over Wenatchee, where he opened the scoring with his 30th goal of the season and added two assists. He followed that with another three-point effort on Jan. 31 against the Cougars, factoring in on all three Kamloops goals with two primary power-play assists and an even-strength tally in a 4-3 overtime loss.
Selected by the Blazers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, Hurlbert has been a standout rookie. Through 48 games, he leads the WHL in scoring with 76 points (32 goals, 44 assists). His goal total ranks fourth league-wide, while his assist total is tied for fourth.
Earlier this season, Hurlbert represented Team CHL at the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in Calgary and Lethbridge. He is also set to suit up for Team West at the inaugural WHL Prospects Game on Wednesday, Feb. 18, hosted by the Vancouver Giants at Langley Events Centre.
Entering February, Kamloops sits fifth in the WHL’s Western Conference with a 23-15-6-4 record.
