Landon DuPont expected to receive exceptional status into WHL: report
Landon DuPont is about to become exceptional.
DuPont, a 14-year-old and a top prospect eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, is is expected to receive exceptional status to play in the Western Hockey League, according to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“Fourteen-year-old Landon DuPont of Calgary is expected to receive exceptional status as soon as next week,” Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada’s ‘Saturday Headlines.’ “Everett won the WHL lottery and will have the No. 1 overall pick. The announcement has not been made on DuPont yet, but the belief is it will be given to him next week.”
That would allow DuPont, a right-shot defenseman, to be taken by the Everett Silvertips with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
He would become the second-ever player from the WHL to receive exceptional status, joining Connor Bedard. It would also make the Calgary, Alberta product the ninth player in Canadian Hockey League history to become exceptional, including Bedard, John Tavares (2005), Aaron Ekblad (2011), Connor McDavid (2012), Sean Day (2013), Joe Veleno (2015), Shane Wright (2109), and Michael Misa (2022).
“The difference between Landon and some others who have been considered for exceptional status is that his physical maturity is on par or exceeded the top 2008-born players,” Western-based FCHockey regional scout Joel Henderson said. “Landon is a fluid, well-balanced, powerful bursting skater who can mold and adapt his style to play multiple paces and levels. His play style is quite similar to Bowen Byram and his IQ allows him to read pressure, spacing, and timing of high-end plays in motion incredibly well. He’s smart, versatile, and goes a mile if you give him an inch.”
DuPont has 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) in 30 games with Edge School U-18 Prep in Calgary.