Calgary's Landon DuPont granted exceptional status to play in WHL next season
The Western Hockey League (WHL) officially introduced Calgary's Landon DuPont as the second player in league history to be granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada.
The 14-year-old right-handed defenceman becomes the ninth player to be given the green light to join the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) on a full-time basis a year early, joining the likes of Connor Bedard and Connor McDavid.
"It’s such an honour for me,” DuPont said Monday, with his mother and father sitting next to him as he was introduced to media.
“I’m extremely humbled to have received this designation,” said DuPont, who will turn 15 on May 28.
DuPont manned the blue line for Edge School's U18 team last season, racking up 19 goals and 43 assists in 30 games to lead all defenceman in points in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL).
DuPont is expected to be drafted first overall by the Everett Silvertips on May 9 and will be in Grade 10 when the WHL season begins.
"Landon is a fine young man, who not only possesses tremendous talent on the ice, but has been raised with solid moral character, a positive attitude and a great work ethic,” said WHL commissioner Dan Near.
DuPont is the son of former Calgary Flames defenceman Micki DuPont.
DuPont caught everyone’s attention with his play at the Circle K Classic back in December, where he stood out despite playing against players who were years older than he is. Now he'll be playing against some players who are five years older than he is in the WHL.
An exceptional status offers the chance for younger players to enter the WHL a year early.
While the youth will be the second WHL player to be recognized, eight other Canadian hockey players have been given the status, including Bedard:
- 2022: Michael Misa, centre;
- 2020: Connor Bedard, centre;
- 2019: Shane Wright, centre;
- 2015: Joe Veleno, centre/left wing;
- 2013: Sean Day, defenceman;
- 2012: Connor McDavid, centre;
- 2011: Aaron Ekblad, defenceman; and
- 2005: John Tavares, centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.