Red Wings’ J.P. Hurlbert Ready To Embrace Michigan Path

The Detroit Red Wings spent their 2026 first-round pick on one of USA Hockey’s shining stars among 2008-born forwards. J.P. Hurlbert has demanded attention with his scoring since the 2022-23 season, when he put up 112 goals and 195 points in 75 games with the Dallas Stars Elite 14U AAA club. Hurlbert has since posted lofty scoring at multiple USA Hockey select tournaments, through a year with the U.S. NTDP, and a season in the WHL. After all of that, the Texas-native told Marco D’Amico of RG that walking the Michigan path will be a childhood dream. Hurlbert said:

That’s why I kind of got into hockey… My dad was a big Red Wings fan and a Red Wings jersey was the first one I owned. It’s always been there, so it’s for sure always been in our family’s blood.

Hurlbert added that his household still has framed jerseys from Dylan Larkin’s time at the University of Michigan and with Detroit hanging on the wall. Hurlbert has now embarked on the path Larkin tracked back in 2014. The 15th-overall pick that summer, Larkin pursued one season with Michigan before beginning an NHL career that grew year over year. Parallels run even deeper between Detroit’s past and present top prospects. Larkin, like Hurlbert, joined a Wolverines squad that featured a star, draft-eligible defense prospect (Zach Werenski), a high-scoring upperclassman (Zach Hyman), and a returning center to hold the lineup together (Andrew Copp).

Hurlbert will be supported by Landon DuPont, William Horcoff, and Michael Hage filling those respective roles. Together, the Wolverines stand as a favorite to win the Big Ten and National Championship – though they’re one of many teams with early odds for those titles.

Hurlbert’s goal-scoring upside and high-energy play-driving will add another layer to college hockey’s highest-scoring offense, but he also represents another mouth to feed in a lineup that could feel crowded early in the year. Strong players, like Henry Mews or Cameron Reid, could end up on the second power-play unit or facing reduced minutes. If Hurlbert lands in that bunch, his freshman year may not flash as bright as his childhood hero’s.

The Red Wings’ top prospect is ready for the uphill battle. He told D’Amico that his focus is on getting bigger, stronger, and faster – and taking in the premium coaching he expects from Michigan head coach and former Red Wings consultant Brandon Naurato. The Wolverines will also lean on assistant coach and retired NHL winger Max Pacioretty to help teach Hurlbert how to maintain his high-tempo scoring against tougher competition.

Hurlbert’s lone WHL season was marked by 42 goals and 97 points in 68 games. The Kamloops Blazers’ offense was built to take advantage of his breakaway speed and flashy hands – two weapons that could become harder to showcase when play is not built around him. Hurlbert will need to show he can hold up his scoring against tougher competition – but doing so with the Wolverines and Red Wings would achieve the young forward’s childhood dreams.