As we continue our deep dive into the 2026 NHL Draft landscape, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves in an enviable, yet complex position. With a deep cupboard of picks — including a top-three selection and a secondary first-rounder acquired from the Minnesota Wild — the front office has the luxury of taking a safe foundational piece early before potentially swinging for the fences later in the round.
Enter J.P. Hurlbert.
If you follow the Western Hockey League (WHL), you know the name. If you follow draft boards, you know the headache. Hurlbert is perhaps the most polarizing prospect in this year’s class. He is a player whose statistical output screams top-five pick, yet whose mechanical profile has some scouts whispering second round. For a Canucks team looking to add high-end offensive punch to their pipeline, Hurlbert represents the ultimate high-reward gamble at the 24th overall slot.
Scouting Report
Hurlbert spent the last season establishing himself as the most lethal rookie in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) while playing for the Kamloops Blazers. Finishing with 42 goals and 97 points, he proved that his offensive instincts are already at a professional level.
The bread and butter of Hurlbert’s game is his “catch-and-release” wrist shot. He doesn’t require a long wind-up or a perfect pass; he possesses the rare ability to receive a puck and whip it toward the net in one fluid motion, often catching goaltenders before they’ve set their feet. This is complemented by a high hockey IQ that allows him to navigate offensive-zone traffic and find soft ice with uncanny consistency.
However, the reason a 97-point scorer might be available in the late first round comes down to projectability. Analysts have noted that Hurlbert’s top-end speed is average, often hampered by a skating posture that straightens up as he tries to accelerate. Furthermore, there is a heavy reliance on the perimeter; a significant portion of his production comes from outside the high-danger areas. In the NHL, where lanes vanish in a heartbeat, he will need to prove he can penetrate the middle of the ice to remain effective.
What Others Are Saying
“He possesses a lethal release from the weak side flank, especially on the power play when setting up in the face-off circle… Not a pure burner in open ice. Sturdy strong in traffic.”
Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
“The University of Michigan commit has a great one-touch shot that he routinely unleashes on the power play. He’s also an exceptionally smart puck-mover who has very little difficulty getting it where it needs to be against players his own age.”
Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
“His offensive skillset, shot selection and ability to do damage in the open ice is undeniable. When he’s in control and the puck is on his stick, he’s as skilled as they come. However, I do want more from him with his off-puck play, as there are times where he wavers from being involved in the play.”
Peter Baracchini, The Hockey Writers
“His work ethic around the puck was infectious, earning him several grade-A scoring chances. He’s quick, creative, and intense on the forecheck, which has vaulted him to the top of the WHL scoring race earlier this season.”
Dayton Reimer, The Hockey Writers
Fit in the Canucks’ Prospect Pool
The Canucks’ current prospect pool has made strides in terms of defensive depth and grit, but it lacks a game-breaker on the wing who can consistently drive a power play. Hurlbert fits that niche perfectly. Often compared to a “discount Gavin McKenna,” his creative playmaking and ability to dance around defenders would give Vancouver a secondary scoring threat they haven’t had in years.
A major factor in his fit is his commitment to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season. This is music to the ears of the Canucks’ development staff. By heading to the NCAA, Hurlbert enters a high-performance environment with a lighter game schedule, allowing him more time in the weight room to address his physical strength and more individual coaching sessions to refine his skating mechanics.
For Vancouver, Hurlbert wouldn’t be a player they need to rush. He is a slow-burn prospect who could spend two or three years in Ann Arbor developing into a top-six NHL winger.
Should the Canucks Draft Him?
The decision to draft Hurlbert depends entirely on the Canucks’ appetite for risk at 24th overall.
If they are looking for a high-floor, safe player who is guaranteed to play 500 NHL games in a bottom-six role, Hurlbert is not their man. But if they want to use that extra first-round pick to take a swing at a player with 30-goal potential, the Texan forward is the best bet on the board.
The inconsistencies in his defensive game and his skating are real, but they are also coachable. You cannot, however, teach the natural scoring touch and offensive vision that Hurlbert possesses. If he is still available when Vancouver steps up to the podium for the second time in the first round, passing on that kind of raw production would be a difficult pill to swallow. In a league where goals are the ultimate currency, Hurlbert is a lottery ticket worth buying.
AI tools were used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
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