14-year-old defenseman second player ever to be granted WHL exceptional status

14-year-old defenseman Landon DuPont has been granted exceptional status by the WHL and will enter major junior hockey a year early, the league confirmed on Monday. 

He’s the first defenseman to be granted exceptional status in WHL history and only the second player ever, joining Blackhawks rookie and current Calder Trophy favorite Connor Bedard.

DuPont, the son of Calgary native and former Flame Micki DuPont, is the (very) early consensus first overall pick for the 2027 NHL Draft. Granting him exceptional status allows him to have three full seasons of major junior play under his belt before having his rights picked up by an NHL club.

Playing on the U-18 squad for the Edge School, a Calgary-based prep academy in the CSSHL, DuPont had a record-breaking season, leading the team with 19 goals, 43 assists and 62 points in only 30 games. 

He’s the only 14-year-old defenseman ever to play a full season at the top level of the Canadian prep circuit, and his point production has only ever been surpassed by Bedard, projected 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna, and Sabres first-round pick Matthew Savoie among U-15 players at the U-18 level.

DuPont, already at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, has been praised by WHL GMs for his play-driving ability, skating, and shot power — essentially a complete package for a top-pairing, first-power-play defender. His Edge School coach called out Avalanche star Cale Makar as a comparable.

His rights currently aren’t held by a WHL club, but Monday’s announcement makes him eligible for selection in this year’s bantam draft. 

He’ll be the first overall pick and will be headed to the Everett Silvertips. Everett finished second in the U.S. Division this season but won the draft lottery with a selection originally owned by the Kamloops Blazers, who parted with the pick to add top Ducks defense prospect Olen Zellweger last season.