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Canucks Central

JP Hurlbert’s Unique Hockey Journey + Late First Round Players

29 May 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What unique path did JP Hurlburt take to professional hockey?

17.446 - 38.805 Sat

Back in on Canucks Central. And this hour of the program is brought to you by BC Liquor. Until May 30th, save $5 on Empress 1908 Gin, known for its vivid color and smooth botanical flavor. Visit your nearest BC Liquor today, 19 plus. Enjoy responsibly. As we broadcast live from the Kintec studio, keep your thoughts coming into our Dunbar Lumber text inbox, 650-650.

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39.586 - 58.477 Sat

Trusted by contractors and DIY champions across Metro Vancouver, four generations. Find them at three convenient locations or visit Dunbar Lumber online today. You want to hear about the coach? Tommy texted in. Thanks for not asking Landon about the Canucks new coach. Well, they don't have a new coach.

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58.637 - 69.495 Sat

We spent like a lot of time last week with Landon about Manny and the head coach and stuff like that. And hey, listen, we do revisit topics all the time. Somebody was texting in and be like, you guys talk about trading down all the time, whatever.

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Chapter 2: How did growing up in Texas influence JP Hurlburt's hockey journey?

69.655 - 82.567 Sat

So I get it. But there's nothing new on the coaching front. Like, we're waiting. But there's literally nothing new. Can't invent it. No. We talked about it quite a bit over the course of the week. We spoke to insiders about it.

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83.388 - 94.902 Sat

We've talked a lot about it. Landon mentioned last week that he's very high on Manny. If you missed it, you can check it out on the podcast. We went in-depth on Manny. We spoke to him about Manny quite a bit. But there's nothing new on the coaching front.

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Chapter 3: What experiences did JP gain from playing in the U.S. National Development Program?

94.942 - 118.526 Sat

I wish I had news to share with people. There just isn't any. We just wait. There you go. That's your coaching update. I hope Tommy's happy. As soon as we sign off, 6.05, it's like, breaking news. It could happen, no doubt. But, you know, we'll see. I mean, at this stage, are they going to make a Friday announcement? Or do we just wait till next week?

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120.209 - 126.037 Bik

That's not bad news. You seriously don't do the news dump, Friday news dump with good news.

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126.338 - 131.425 Sat

Yeah, usually wait until... Yeah, because you want the talk to go all week long. Yeah, something positive about it.

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Chapter 4: What challenges did JP face moving to the WHL and playing for the Kamloops Blazers?

131.485 - 150.173 Sat

But we'll see. If it comes together, it comes together. So we'll see what happens here. Yeah, basketball feels texting in. Can you guys spend the next 30 minutes talking about game number six between the Spurs and the Thunder? No, because we are going to go to the Able Auctions hotline in just a moment and welcome in our next guest.

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150.253 - 164.835 Sat

It is JP Hurlburt, one of the top prospects in the 2026 draft, plays with the Kamloops Blazers, born in Texas, Allen, Texas, and he's on the line now. JP, thanks for making some time for us, man. Number one, how are you doing?

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166.469 - 173.175 JP Hurlburt

Of course. Thank you for having me. Super excited to be here. Doing great. Just kind of back home in Texas enjoying some heat while I can.

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Chapter 5: What skills does JP Hurlburt focus on to enhance his game?

173.935 - 191.03 Sat

Well, the heat's turning up here in Vancouver. I'm sure it's not quite at the Texas level of heat. And, you know, we'll start right there. Obviously, you're born in Allen, Texas. You spent some time in the U.S. developmental program, came up to B.C. to play in Kamloops. What's your hockey journey been like? Like, how did you fall in love with the game in Texas?

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192.931 - 212.475 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, it's pretty unique, honestly, being a Dallas kid. my dad was a big Detroit Red Wings fan and kind of 08 when they were winning Stanley cups. And so kind of got me into it here in Dallas and just grew up playing, playing hockey, you know, not, not really your traditional hockey market and stuck here really my whole life.

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212.636 - 225.99 JP Hurlburt

And, you know, going to the U S national program was, was just so amazing and getting to represent your country. And then obviously making the move to the Western hockey league and being a part of the Kamloops Blazers was just super amazing. And it's,

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Chapter 6: Which NHL players does JP Hurlburt model his game after?

226.173 - 229.077 JP Hurlburt

kind of a unique path, and I enjoy it every step of the way.

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229.637 - 240.772 Bik

How much of a pull is there into, again, for our perspective, it's like Texas is high school football. As you're growing up, how much of that pull is football or hockey for you?

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242.894 - 267.158 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, it's basically the high school football capital of the world, kind of where I live, and there's a lot of interest. Every Friday night, kids are always at the football games and watching the Cowboys on Sunday, so It's kind of unique. You're the Dallas Stars fan going to all the games and playing at the rinks on Friday night when nobody's really there and watching football.

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267.558 - 277.459 JP Hurlburt

You kind of get your own way of growing up and enjoying it. It's amazing to see how quick the game's growing down here. It's just super cool to be a part of it.

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277.726 - 293.667 Sat

You mentioned how the game has grown, and I know the Stars have put in so much work in Texas and Dallas specifically to grow the game. In terms of those avenues and the availability of it, I'm sure it's changed dramatically, and there's quite a few players now, relatively speaking, that are playing hockey growing up.

295.609 - 305.202 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, it's super cool. It's funny, coming back now in the summers, being an alumni here, watching all the young kids and seeing all the new additions to the rink,

305.553 - 333.805 JP Hurlburt

and all the talent that's coming out is just super exciting to see and you know hopefully each year there's there's more nhl draft picks from dallas and the game's growing so quickly and it's so cool to to kind of see as you get older each and every year how the competition just keeps getting better better and better as we talk to prospects i kind of throw a couple of questions by um the same question because when you're coming into your draft year i imagine you kind of had a set of goals uh what was important to you last summer that you feel like you uh rattled off this year

Chapter 7: What are the top late-first-round draft options for the Vancouver Canucks?

335.978 - 352.559 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, for me, it was kind of getting better at everything, you know, my, my dreams to play in the NHL. And obviously you only get your draft year once. And so it was pretty cool to, to get ready for that. And obviously joining Kamloops here, a new team kind of in a new country, didn't really know anybody.

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352.579 - 370.747 JP Hurlburt

So it was just being prepared for, for the WHL and, you know, the Memorial cup was a couple of years back in Kamloops. And so I thought it was pretty cool to kind of be the first year to make it back into the playoffs and, and come in and really just kind of make a name for yourself. And you know, what right now is the biggest year of your life.

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371.047 - 380.677 Bik

Who's been important to you in your circle or, or someone who's helped you with through that process, as you mentioned, changing countries and like making a big move like that. Who's, who's, who's been important for you?

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382.859 - 393.61 JP Hurlburt

Uh, so many people, you know, it's obviously your family and making a tough decision like that. It's, it's always the first people I, I went and talked to and trying to get their voices and opinions and,

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393.91 - 412.003 JP Hurlburt

Obviously, from coaches down here to coaches in Kamloops, I could go on and on and on, but hockey is such a unique sport to where it's really a family and everybody is supportive and wants the best for you. I'm lucky I have a super, super strong support system. It goes such a long way.

Chapter 8: How could the Canucks' draft strategy change based on available centers?

412.405 - 428.885 Sat

Well, you had a lot of success playing with the Kamloops Blazers this year. 97 points in 68 games, led the team in goals, led the team in points. And, you know, you obviously have a lot of offensive skill. What did you kind of learn about yourself and just about the game in Canada when you came to play in the WHL? Because you had a lot of success.

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431.147 - 452.245 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, thank you. It was pretty cool. I think I learned a lot in so many ways. You learn everything. you learn about yourself as a person kind of moving across the country or into a new one, I guess, really, and making, making new friends, new teammates, new people. So just so much growth off the ice and, you know, on the ice, you're playing against the best players in Western Canada every night.

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452.345 - 472.215 JP Hurlburt

And so kind of pretty cool to size, size everyone up and see what, see how you compare against others. And it's, you know, learning, learning how to compete in any, any night in and out. And, you know, you're playing a pro like schedule. And so, just being the best you can every night and, you know, at the end of the day, it's one night at a time.

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473.957 - 483.728 Bik

What aspects or what facets of the game have you kind of built your game around in particular? Like, we can watch and we can read scouting reports, but in particular, like, how have you tried to design your game?

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485.81 - 507.803 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, for me, I think I'm a really offensive-minded player. I think my brain is my best asset, you know, being able to produce time and space and create separation from defenders and then you know, get into those high quality danger areas as quick as possible. And then, you know, one of my other best attributes is my shot and just kind of being able to put the puck where I want.

507.843 - 516.111 JP Hurlburt

And, you know, at the end of the day, you have to score goals to win games. And I feel like that's my role and kind of the best way I contribute to winning hockey games.

516.972 - 525.42 Sat

What's your ideal position? I know you played a lot of wing, your right-hand shot played left wing. I've even seen you play some center. Like what position would you ideally want to play up front?

526.061 - 544.443 JP Hurlburt

Yeah, no, I think for me, it's, I'm pretty confident and playing all three positions on the ice. I think something really cool about Dallas is growing up. We've, we've tried everything. Um, and I'm kind of unique as a right-handed player. I played a lot of left wing this year, so I feel confident and playing all three, all three forward spots.

544.543 - 552.454 JP Hurlburt

And it's, um, you know, a matter of time to see at Michigan and hopefully the NHL one day that I can, I can fulfill any of those three spots.

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