Hockey Canada grants defenceman Landon DuPont exceptional player status
By The Canadian Press on April 8, 2024.
CALGARY – Hockey Canada granted Landon DuPont, a 14-year-old defenceman from Calgary, exceptional player status Monday. That means DuPont will be eligible for the Western Hockey League draft May 9 and able to play in the league on a full-time basis starting next season. DuPont becomes the first defenceman and second player in league history to receive exceptional player status. The first was Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard (2020). DuPont becomes the ninth player – and third defenceman – in Canadian Hockey League history to receive the designation since it was created in 2005. Others to have received the designation include Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares (2005), Florida Panthers defencemen Aaron Ekblad (2011) and Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid (2012). The five-foot-11, 170-pound DuPont spent the 2023-24 season at Edge School, an under-18 prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. He registered 62 points (19 goals, 43 assists) in 30 regular-season games, finishing tops among defenceman and third overall in scoring as Edge captured the league title. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2024. 9-8
