You need to pay attention to 2027 NHL Draft wonder kid Landon DuPont’s exceptional season

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
You need to pay attention to 2027 NHL Draft wonder kid Landon DuPont’s exceptional season
Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

SARNIA – Landon DuPont remembers traveling to Davos for Christmas as a kid to watch his father represent Canada at the Spengler Cup.

Micki DuPont played a handful of NHL games, usually getting called upon for his physical play. However, keen Spengler Cup followers might remember him for his six appearances with Team Canada. Most notably, he was on Canada’s team in 2012 when star NHLers Matt Duchene, Patrice Bergeron, John Tavares and Tyler Seguin all came over. Despite the big-name support from the NHL lockout, DuPont was one of Canada’s best players, helping them win the championship.

Landon was six years old when his father played for the final time. Still, he’ll never forget the sights and sounds from Eisstadion Davos and the incredible atmosphere that’s barely rivalled in any hockey arena.

Landon knew, one day, that he wanted to play for Team Canada. And right now, at just 15, he has the hockey world’s attention.

DuPont is captain of Canada Red at the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, one of the first opportunities to closely examine the top players for future draft classes. With 2008- and 2009-born players participating this year, the focus is on the 2026 and 2027 NHL Drafts. This is DuPont’s first time representing his country, but he’s donning the C – something he takes great pride in. For someone so young, he’s already so mature on and off the ice. Canada Red is already qualified for Friday’s semifinal, and Canada Red does look like the favorite to win the tourney.

But what scouts are seeing from DuPont is a truly special young defenseman having a season unlike any other. DuPont was granted exceptional status into the WHL ahead of the 2024-25 season, allowing him to play the full season as a 15-year-old. He became just the first WHL defenseman, and third in CHL history, to be granted the special status, and he hasn’t wasted it. Through 14 games with the Everett Silvertips, DuPont is already up to 16 points – giving him a full-season pace of 76.

For comparison, Connor McDavid – the best player in the world – had 66 points in 63 games in his 15-year-old season. John Tavares had 77 points. COVID-19 ruined Connor Bedard’s exceptional status season, but he was on pace for more than 100 points.

In the end, DuPont has the potential to put up the best ES season ever recorded – and he’s a defenseman. So it’s unsurprising that he’s been one of Canada’s better players through the round-robin, registering three points in two games.

“Nobody in this tournament is as skilled or smart as him,” one scout said in Sarnia, where the U-17s are taking place. “He’s on another planet – he’s so gifted with the puck. He controls the power play like (Cale) Makar. He’s special.”

At 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, DuPont isn’t huge by any means, but he’s 14. Most kids his age are still figuring out puberty. Like most modern-day defenders, DuPont is incredible with the puck, moving quickly and decisively. He’s more creative than any defenseman we’ve seen in quite some time. With the extra space, DuPont can absolutely take over a power play, either firing a hard shot or using it to take defenders out of position before setting up someone else.

But DuPont brings much more than just offense. He blocks shots, competes hard, and has the speed to get back after a scoring chance to break up a play. For his age, scouts have described DuPont as physically and mentally mature, allowing him to stack up against almost everyone.

Still, the WHL is a big step forward – especially since the league is known for its brutal toughness, at times.

“It’s a huge jump; it’s faster, the size difference is something, too,” DuPont said. “I feel like my teammates and the coaching staff has really helped me get my feet wet in the league.”

Only a handful of teenagers have ever dealt with the pressure and spotlight that get placed on exceptional status members. DuPont says he was able to lean on one in particular early on to get a lay of the land and learn how to deal with the extra attention.

“I’ve talked to Bedard a bit, he’s been giving me advice,” DuPont said. “I have his number now, which is pretty special. He told me I could always reach out when I needed anything. So having that is special.”

DuPont’s game is all about skill and finesse. He said he wanted to be a forward growing up, but his father – a defenseman – said he’d be better suited on the blueline. The NHL has seen a shift where smaller, more skilled rearguards have been taking over – so the timing for DuPont’s rise couldn’t be better. Being able to outthink and outskate opponents have allowed DuPont to be so dynamic and so dangerous early on in his career.

Watching Landon and Micki, though, they couldn’t be more different players.

“He was a big goon,” Landon said with a laugh. “Or at least that’s what he likes to tell me.”

The easy comparison here is Makar – considered to be one of the best offensive defenseman in the game today. DuPont said he loves to watch the Colorado Avalanche star, but his biggest inspiration is someone with no NHL games to their credit yet: Minnesota Wild prospect Zeev Buium.

“I try to model my game after him because, just like me, he’s a good-sized D-man, but he’s not too big,” DuPont said. “He’s got good edges and he makes his teammates around him better.”

DuPont has a long development path ahead of him. He’s not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2027, so he’ll have plenty of years to try and lead the Silvertips to their first league title. They’re currently first place in the WHL with a 13-2-1 record, with 2025 NHL Draft prospect Carter Bear leading the team with 27 points in 16 games. DuPont has had such a big impact as a rookie – and it feels like it’s only a matter of time until he becomes the first 100-point defenseman the WHL has seen in the 2000s.

We’re in a time period where it feels like there’s a “special” prospect just about every year. Connor Bedard in 2023, Gavin McKenna in 2026, and, now, Landon DuPoint in 2027. There’s still so much that can happen – both positively and negatively – that could have DuPont fall in draft rankings. Just ask Sean Day, who earned exceptional status into the OHL in 2014 and only has two NHL games to his credit.

But, right now, DuPont is the best player in his age group. And his reign of terror has only just begun.

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