2026 Draft Profile Mixtape 2 - JP Hurlbert (Kamloops, WHL)
The Kamloops Blazers are back in the playoffs, and JP Hurlbert is a big reason why.
JP Hurlbert is a multi-tool that can stir the drink in any situation.
His leadership, work ethic, and impact across all three zones of the ice are major reasons the Kamloops Blazers have clinched a playoff spot for 2025-26 after finishing second-to-last in 2024-25.
Speaking selfishly from a Penguins’ perspective here, the addition of a bona fide top-scorer in Hurlbert has taken a lot of the pressure off of Harrison Brunicke to be constantly creating offense.
Hurlbert is a high-IQ forward. This manifests itself in many ways. Whether it be pre-reading a play defensively to break a puck up, making split-second decisions in skill-chaining to deke around a defender, or making the right reads in the offensive zone in order to find himself in prime scoring areas with the puck. Hurlbert is difficult to miss over the course of a game because so many of his actions have noticeable effects.
Hurlbert is a technician holding the puck. His bag of tricks and dangles is deep, but he rarely uses them recklessly. In transition, he’s difficult to knock off the puck thanks to his power, strength, and ability to escape. Hurlbert creates a lot of space for himself by executing a single or a series of high-level skills with the puck that give him free time and space, or a free path to the net. He’s also a powerful skater and is really hard to handle both in front of the net and along the boards. Hurlbert’s motor is relentless, so a lot of defensemen will pin him, think they have him solved, only for him to muscle off of them and drive to the net. I included a few examples of this in the mixtape.
Hurlbert’s skating is a mix of okay with a dash of concern. His first few steps are really great, but his posture straightens as he gains speed, and in situations that call for raw speed, he seems to have a limit to how fast he can go. I tie this back to his posture. One of the things that makes him so hard to handle on the forecheck or in short-range loose puck races is his speed and power in his first few steps. But his top gear overall leaves you wanting more in certain situations.
Hurlbert’s shot is one of the best parts of his game. He isn’t afraid to let them rip from any position. His slap shot has some surprise to it, but his wrist shot is his bread and butter, and he’s very intentional with its placement. While the velocity can occasionally hit warp speed and beat a goalie with sheer force, Hurlbert is more likely to score off of patient placement. That placement can come in the form of his wrist shot’s location or his physical location. Hurlbert often positions himself behind the defense for easy tap-ins or redirects with the goalie in a completely compromised position.
There are times when I’d like to see Hurlbert utilize his raw, physical talents more. In addition, I think the skating will have to improve in terms of high-end speed. That being said, Hurlbert is an impact player. He creates opportunities and alters the flow of the game through his individual behavior. He is fourth in WHL scoring at the moment, and the Penguins have gotten a very close look at him courtesy of their eyes on Brunicke.
Enjoy the video below and be sure to check back and see where Hurlbert lands in my 2026 draft ranking.