Landon DuPont gets selected No. 1 overall in WHL Draft after earning exceptional status

The Everett Silvertips selected defenseman Landon DuPont first overall in the Western Hockey League (WHL) draft after the 14-year-old was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada.

The 5-foot-11 blueliner is the first defenseman in WHL history and only the second player after Connor Bedard to be granted exceptional status.

DuPont racked up a whopping 19 goals and 43 assists for 62 points in 30 games for the U18 Edge this season, leading the team in points and goals with 19. He led the entire league in points by a defenseman.

Everett acquired the draft pick from Kamloops during the 2022-23 season when the Blazers traded 10 draft picks and four roster players to the Silvertips in exchange for Anaheim Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger and Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Hofer.

A Hockey Canada panel made the decision after watching, evaluating and interviewing Landon, the son of former Calgary Flames defenseman Micki DuPont. The panel also talked to his coaches, teachers and a psychologist who assessed his ability to handle such a step.

Eight players in total have been granted exceptional player status in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), of which include Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Shane Wright, Joe Veleno, Sean Day and Michael Misa. DuPont will not be eligible for the NHL Draft until 2027, but the WHL’s next big star will get his career underway this fall.