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Buffalo — Make it 10 straight NHL Drafts that a Michigan hockey player heard his name called in the first round of the NHL Draft.
J.P. Hurlbert, an incoming freshman forward for the Michigan hockey team, was drafted 23rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft at Buffalo's KeyBank Center.
The Red Wings moved up by trading goalie Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth.
Hurlbert played for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers last season, scoring 42 goals and notching 55 assists in 68 games. He was the league's Rookie of the Year for his efforts, and a first-team all-star. Now, he's a first-round draft pick — and he's about to play some meaningful hockey before his NHL future gets started.
Hurlbert is part of a strong freshman class for Michigan that includes projected No. 1 pick in 2027 Landon DuPont, a defenseman, as well as 2025 first round pick Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia).
Though he grew up in Texas, Hurlbert is the fourth generation of his family to attend Michigan, though the first to do so as a college athlete. That streak includes his father, who was a classmate and friend of UM goaltender Marty Turco.
More: J.P. Hurlbert following Michigan hockey roots after NHL Draft
Now, Turco and Hurlbert are connected by college hockey ties, too, and Hurlbert will be a part of chasing Michigan's first national championship since Turco ended his senior year on top in 1998. Michigan came close in a double overtime loss to Denver in the Frozen Four this past April. Hurlbert knows the stakes of what this season means for Michigan, which benefits from many top players including Michael Hage (Montreal), Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh) and Garrett Schifsky coming back.
"I think this is the team and year that can really do it," Hurlbert told The Detroit News earlier this month, "and to be a kid who has watched it since they were 3 years old, going to Frozen Four games and watching the team lose, it’s just extra motivating to do it this year.”
[email protected]
@ConnorEaregood
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Red Wings trade goalie Cossa; draft Michigan winger Hurlbert
Continue reading...
J.P. Hurlbert, an incoming freshman forward for the Michigan hockey team, was drafted 23rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft at Buffalo's KeyBank Center.
The Red Wings moved up by trading goalie Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth.
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Hurlbert played for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers last season, scoring 42 goals and notching 55 assists in 68 games. He was the league's Rookie of the Year for his efforts, and a first-team all-star. Now, he's a first-round draft pick — and he's about to play some meaningful hockey before his NHL future gets started.
Hurlbert is part of a strong freshman class for Michigan that includes projected No. 1 pick in 2027 Landon DuPont, a defenseman, as well as 2025 first round pick Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia).
Though he grew up in Texas, Hurlbert is the fourth generation of his family to attend Michigan, though the first to do so as a college athlete. That streak includes his father, who was a classmate and friend of UM goaltender Marty Turco.
More: J.P. Hurlbert following Michigan hockey roots after NHL Draft
Now, Turco and Hurlbert are connected by college hockey ties, too, and Hurlbert will be a part of chasing Michigan's first national championship since Turco ended his senior year on top in 1998. Michigan came close in a double overtime loss to Denver in the Frozen Four this past April. Hurlbert knows the stakes of what this season means for Michigan, which benefits from many top players including Michael Hage (Montreal), Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh) and Garrett Schifsky coming back.
"I think this is the team and year that can really do it," Hurlbert told The Detroit News earlier this month, "and to be a kid who has watched it since they were 3 years old, going to Frozen Four games and watching the team lose, it’s just extra motivating to do it this year.”
[email protected]
@ConnorEaregood
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Red Wings trade goalie Cossa; draft Michigan winger Hurlbert
Continue reading...
