Landon DuPont

Landon DuPont (born May 28, 2009) is a Canadian ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the University of Michigan of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was the ninth player to be granted exceptional player status in the history of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). He is a top prospect eligible for the 2027 NHL entry draft.

Playing career DuPont played youth hockey in Kloten, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany, often playing with his older brother in the 2006-born age group, three years above his own. He moved to Canada in 2019. In the playoffs, he tied the playoff scoring record set by Dylan Guenther with five goals and 16 points en route to a league title and championship MVP award.

On April 8, 2024, it was announced that DuPont would receive exceptional player status to enter the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) in the 2024–25 season, becoming the ninth exceptional status player and the third defenceman. He became the second Western Hockey League (WHL) player to receive exceptional status, after Connor Bedard, and the first defenceman. On May 9, 2024, DuPont was selected first overall in the 2024 WHL prospects draft by the Everett Silvertips, becoming the first top pick in Silvertips history. He signed with the Silvertips on August 6.

From the moment he entered the WHL, DuPont was trusted with a big role on the Silvertips, logging 26 minutes in his debut. He recorded 11 points in his first seven games, more than any other exceptional status player through that span except for Bedard. On February 2, 2025, he recorded his 50th point of the season, becoming the first defenceman aged 16 or younger to reach that threshold since Scott Niedermayer in the 1989–90 season. DuPont finished with 17 goals and 43 assists in 64 games played, and won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie of the year. He was later awarded the CHL Rookie of the Year trophy, only the third exceptional status player to earn the award after John Tavares and Shane Wright. The CHL also named him to its All-Rookie and Third All-Star teams.

On June 24, 2026, DuPont committed to play college ice hockey at Michigan during the 2026–27 season.

International play At the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, DuPont was the only 2009-born player on either of the Canadian teams, captaining Canada Red to a silver medal with a team-best four points in as many games before earning tournament all-star honours.

At the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, DuPont was once again the only 2009-born Canadian, and was one of four alternate captains for the team. The Canadians finished with a bronze medal.

Personal life DuPont's father Micki DuPont played 23 NHL games across four seasons with the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues, as well as in the American Hockey League, in various European leagues, and for the Canadian national team.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Bold indicates led league Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2024–25 Everett Silvertips WHL 64 17 43 60 26 10 5 10 15 6 2025–26 Everett Silvertips WHL 63 18 55 73 52 18 5 18 23 24WHL totals 127 35 98 133 78 28 10 28 38 30

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2024 Canada Red U17 4 0 4 4 2 2025 Canada HG18 5 0 4 4 2Junior totals 9 0 8 8 4

Awards and honours Award Year RefCHL CHL Rookie of the Year Award 2025 WHL Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy 2025