Landon DuPont has burst onto the scene of the Western Hockey League as a 15-year-old with no sign of turning back.
On April 8, Hockey Canada announced DuPont was the first WHL defenseman to be granted exceptional status and just the second (Connor Bedard) in league history.
“It was a huge honor hearing I received the (exceptional) status. Obviously, it is a huge accomplishment, but I still have so much more work to put in. I’m just getting started, but I’m thankful to everyone along the way,” DuPont said.
In his first 11 games of work with the Everett Silvertips, the Calgary, Alberta, native has registered four goals, 12 assists, and 16 points, which leads all WHL defensemen as of October 24.
“It’s been a big jump, for sure, but it is kind of nice getting games under my belt,” DuPont said. “Having the older guys and the leadership group has really helped me. I think the speed and physicality have been the biggest adjustments so far.”
Steve Hamilton took over as the Everett bench boss on July 30 when seven-year head coach Dennis Williams departed for a job opportunity with Bowling Green in the NCAA.
Hamilton is no stranger to the WHL, though, as he spent the previous six seasons as the head coach of the Calgary Hitmen.
“I’ve been in Calgary for years watching Landon play, so I’ve watched the Landon DuPont show many times. He’s simply been outstanding,” Hamilton said. “I’ve said many times there’s a humility and just a business-like approach to his game that you don’t often see in very many young men 20-ish years old. Landon has the maturity to be able to handle this and all the attention. He plays to have an impact on the outcome of the game; he’s not just taking part; he wants to be a driver.”
When DuPont hit the ice for his first WHL game, he stepped onto the ice of the Angel of the Winds Arena in front of 6,247 Silvertips fans. The Everett faithful only needed to wait 21:21 minutes of action before DuPont hit the scoreboard for the first time. Carter Bear scored with the primary assist coming from DuPont.
“Getting that first point out of the way early was nice; it was a great play by (Bear),” DuPont said.
Then, just four games into his WHL career, the 5-foot-11 right-shot defenseman lit the lamp for his first goal.
THE FIRST OF MANY!
Landon DuPont has his first career WHL goal.@WHLsilvertips pic.twitter.com/T7iJOL5avW
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 5, 2024
“He’s fearless, and that’s probably the attribute you notice the most,” Hamilton said. “He wants to make plays, wants to try new things, but he knows his limits and abilities and trusts them. Plus, we, as a coaching staff, trust him. He doesn’t get minutes up the lineup because of his name. He gets them because he deserves them. Every guy in our locker room appreciates and recognizes that, which is pretty special. He’s blended seamlessly into our group. Plus, he’s got a bright future ahead.”
DuPont averages over 21 minutes of ice time per game, with an average of 3:32 coming on the power play and 1:28 on the penalty kill. He played a career-high 26:44 coming against the Vancouver Giants.
DuPont feels his skating, vision, and hockey IQ are the best aspects of his game right now. Pair those talents with his ability to get shots on goal from all areas of the ice makes him lethal in the offensive zone.
The importance of humility
Hockey culture is known for players crediting their teammates when asked specific questions, but some players have an extra dose of humility.
Hamilton feels there’s a certain quality about players given exceptional status. “These guys have grown up their whole life being exceptional hockey players. Very, very rarely do you recognize the other pieces that are so important: maturity, humility, and working within the team. Landon puts our team first, and that is a quality he has done his whole life,” he said.
DuPont’s ability to immediately connect through a humble approach with his teammates is evident on the ice, especially since top players are often given extra attention during play and after the whistle with an extra shove, cross-check, or slash.
“Landon is going to get his bumps and bruises as it’s all part of playing the game,” Hamilton said. “What you don’t want is anyone taking an extra shot on any of your players. I think that with Landon in particular, the guys recognize he’s 15 years old, and they’re going to make sure they come together and support him. They take care of each other, and Landon is right there in the mix.”
DuPont said the feeling is mutual. “That’s what our team is about; we stand up for each other, no matter who the player is. That’s what I like about our team. We are all super close and are willing to go to bat for each other.”
Hockey runs in the family as Landon’s dad, Micki, is a veteran of 43 NHL games, 259 WHL contests, 356 in the American Hockey League, and 349 more in the DEL (top professional league in Germany). Micki also represented Hockey Canada internationally at a variety of different events. Nolan, who is three years older than Landon, is currently playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Calgary Canucks after attending training camp with the Portland Winterhawks earlier this year.
“He’s been such a great role model for me. He’s such a great person and an even better brother,” Landon said of his relationship with Nolan. “He pushes me for sure, and we’ve gotten into it sometimes, but it is always fun. When we were kids, we always used to wrestle, so I think that’s where our compete level came from. Usually, he got the better end of it, but it’s been getting closer over the years.”
How does a superstar at 15 not make it about himself?
“It comes from my family and how I was raised,” Landon answered. “We are all just super selfless, and we care more about other people than ourselves. My parents and even my brother have shown me how to be humble. I think that is the right way to live your life.”
With DuPont’s career starting to come into the limelight, humility will always be at the center of who Landon is.
“He’s an exceptional talent, but he’s also a pretty exceptional kid. That part is probably the bigger story,” Hamilton concluded.
