“No CHL rookie was as lethal as Hurlbert, who recorded 42 goals and 97 points with Kamloops. He’s an exceptionally skilled forward who, at one point, was so far ahead in the WHL scoring race that nobody was in the same area code. The University of Michigan commit has a great one-touch shot that he routinely unleashes on the power play. 

He’s also an exceptionally smart puck-mover who has very little difficulty getting it where it needs to be against players his own age. My two pre-season concerns – his play away from the puck and his lack of high-end speed – remain issues. But overall, he’s a safe bet for the first round.”

“Wrapped up an incredible regular season with a hat trick in the second-last game of the Blazers’ schedule. A first round match-up against long-time rival Kelowna proved to be quite the challenge. The Rockets neutralized Hurlbert’s production by limiting his time and space, and so the Blazers were swept out of Round 1. This experience is exactly what Hurlbert needed to understand how to elevate his game when it is needed most.”

“He has work to do in the faceoff circle, and that, combined with his sub-6-foot size, results in him being viewed as more of a winger by some (NHL Central Scouting has moved his position from C to LW as well), but he has chipped in on the PK with the Blazers, was given a letter as a newcomer, and has some quiet competitiveness to go with his skill. And while his feet can kick a little through his stride, he plays with pace and has made plays with the puck all over the ice. 

He also has an NHL shot and one-on-one skill, both of which have created multiple highlight-reel goals this year (including short-handed). He has clear junior talent, and now NHL clubs have to decide whether they think there’s a true top-six NHLer there. He has been consistently good when people have shown up to watch him play this year but he’s not viewed as a star prospect per se.”