Landon DuPont expected to be given exceptional status in the WHL

Top 2027 Draft Prospect Landon Dupont is expected to be the first player to receive Exceptional Status to play in the WHL since Connor Bedard.

The Canadian Hockey League is expected to reward defenseman Landon Dupont with Exceptional Status, with the expectation the 14-year-old will be the First Overall Pick in the WHL Draft.

Elliotte Friedman reported on Sportsnet's 'Saturday Headlines' that DuPont is expected to get the nod some time next week. DuPont was heavily favored to receive the honor, having led EDGE School with 62 points in just 30 games, the defenseman, only 14, 3rd in Points in the CSSHL U18, 5 points ahead in defense scoring of 2023 WHL 1st Overall Pick Daxon Rudolph, a year older.

DuPont is the son of former NHL defenseman Micki DuPont, who played 23 NHL games with Calgary, Pittsburgh & St. Louis.

A source says DuPont appears leaning towards the Western Hockey League route, but a final decision on where he will play is currently unknown. It's likely that if he is committing to the Everett Silvertips, they will select him first overall.

DuPont is considered a top prospect for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, one of two "Top Prospects" on EliteProspects 2027 Draft page along with Quebec's Alexis Joseph. DuPont is the top 2009-born player ranked by PuckPreps.

DuPont will become the ninth player to gain the honor in the Canadian Hockey League, with Connor Bedard being one of the last WHL player to receive Exceptional Status, selected first by Regina in the WHL Draft, and later taken by the Chicago Blackhawks first in the 2023 NHL Draft.

John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, Joe Veleno, Shane Wright, Michael Misa, and Gavin McKenna are the other players to receive Exceptional Status, Misa the most recent in 2022 for the Ontario Hockey League, and McKenna in 2023 for the Western league.

After Everett, who are expected to select DuPont if he commits to the WHL, the 2nd and 3rd picks belong to the Prince Albert Raiders & Tri-City Americans. Forward Eli McKamey is a favorite to go 2nd Overall, with other names to watch including defenseman Brock Cripps, forwards Mirco Dufour & Blake Chorney expected to go high.

Landon DuPont is a highly mobile and offensively gifted defenseman who reads the game at a high level. DuPont is a rare combination at defense of an elite shooting/playmaking combo that can impact the game and create by himself with both assets equally well.

DuPont has strong vision, constantly spotting scoring chances on the offensive end, and shutting down opponents on the defensive end. Perhaps most dangerous of his abilities is his elusive skating ability. DuPont is a good skater, but excels at having strong mobility, allowing him to weave through the ice with and without the puck.

DuPont has been given comparisons to Avalanche Defenseman Cale Makar for his game-changing abilities and high-end hockey sense.

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