Landon DuPont, a 17-year-old defenseman, is the favorite to go No. 1 in the 2027 NHL Draft, and he has already made his mark in his first college hockey game. The Michigan freshman recorded two assists in his NCAA debut on Oct. 2, a 7-2 win against Bowling Green, according to NHL.com.
DuPont has replaced Gavin McKenna as the highest-profile NHL prospect playing NCAA hockey this season, per NHL.com. His arrival at Michigan comes as the sport logs a record 326 NHL draft picks expected to play college hockey in 2026-27, including 30 first-round selections. That is a jump from 258 picks and 18 first-rounders a season ago.
Who Is Landon DuPont
DuPont stands 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds. He joins Michigan after a standout run in the Western Hockey League with Everett, where he tied for fourth among all WHL defensemen last season with 73 points on 18 goals and 55 assists across 63 games.
His production carried into the postseason. DuPont posted 23 points on five goals and 18 assists in 23 WHL playoff games, a total that tied for fourth among all players in the league, regardless of position.
The Run To The Memorial Cup
DuPont’s playoff push culminated in a trip to the 2026 Memorial Cup, where he had six points on two goals and four assists in four games to help Everett reach the championship game. Kitchener beat Everett 6-2 in that final, though DuPont still managed two assists in the loss.
That tournament run against top junior competition gave DuPont a final proving ground before stepping into NCAA hockey, where he now faces a different level of structure and physicality at Michigan.
A Family Hockey Background
DuPont’s path to elite prospect status carries a family thread. His father, Micki DuPont, was a play-making center who was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the ninth round, No. 270 overall, in the 2000 NHL Draft.
The College Hockey Stage
DuPont’s NCAA debut arrived as the 2026-27 college hockey season opened last week, a campaign that will run through the Frozen Four championship game at Capital One Arena in Washington on April 10. Michigan’s season-opening win over Bowling Green is detailed further in Michigan vs Bowling Green: 4 Essential Facts, Thrilling Win.
With a record number of drafted players now suiting up in college hockey, DuPont enters as the central figure in that group. His transition from major junior standout to projected top pick will be tracked across Michigan’s schedule as the Wolverines build toward the national tournament in Washington.
What’s Next
Michigan continues its 2026-27 season as DuPont looks to build on his two-assist debut. The NCAA season runs through the Frozen Four championship game on April 10 at Capital One Arena in Washington, where DuPont’s draft stock will continue to be measured against the deepest pool of NHL-drafted college players on record.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
