You look at the numbers in the goals column for 2026 Detroit Red Wings first-round draft pick JP Hurlbert – 42 for the WHL Kamloops Blazers – and your immediate thought is pure goal scorer.
Yeah, that’s part of what makes Hurlbert so good. But when you combine his natural ability as a finisher with his dogged determination, that’s what makes him a truly dangerous offensive threat.
” USA World Junior coach Adam Nightingale said. He’s coaching Hurlbert on the USA roster at the current World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor.
“I think he’s competitive at the puck. Sometimes that gets overlooked. You just look at the goals, but when I’m watching him, I see a guy that competes at the puck, and he definitely has a good sense for the game.”
From Hurlbert’s point of view, it’s an element of his game that never gets overlooked. His tenacious determination on the forecheck often wins him the puck, and as his goal output tells us, once he has the puck, he often wins the day.
“I think that’s a big thing for me,” Hurlbert said. “The more I can have the puck on my stick, the more dangerous I am.
“So, you know, the best defense is getting it back right away and creating offense. So that’s kind of something that I really focus on, and that’s just hard work getting the puck back.”
Red Wings Pick Seeks to Stay Grounded
It’s been a whirlwind summer for the player Detroit chose 23rd overall in the NHL Entry Draft. He won the WHL Rookie-of-the-Year Award. Then the Red Wings traded to get the pick they used to tab Hurlbert.
He was in attendance at the Red Wings development camp earlier this month and is now involved in the WJSS. Soon, he’ll be arriving in Ann Arbor for his freshman season with the Michigan Wolverines.
It’s more than enough to make a fellow’s head spin, so Hurlbert is investing in staying grounded.
“Yeah, it’s been nonstop,” Hurlbert said. “I think that’s what you want, but for sure I’m trying to, you know, stay where my feet are.
“I think I spent a lot of time in Michigan this summer, so getting to know the area and this is what you want. This is why you play hockey, to be a part of all of these things.
“So just having a lot of fun with it.”