Defenseman Landon DuPont (center), the first-overall selection in the 2024 WHL prospects draft, poses alongside Everett Silvertips chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic (left) and general manager Mike Fraser (right). DuPont, just the second player ever granted exceptional status by the WHL in order to play in the league as a 15-year-old, officially signed with the Tips on Tuesday. (Chris Mast / Everett Silvertips)

Defenseman Landon DuPont (center), the first-overall selection in the 2024 WHL prospects draft, poses alongside Everett Silvertips chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic (left) and general manager Mike Fraser (right). DuPont, just the second player ever granted exceptional status by the WHL in order to play in the league as a 15-year-old, officially signed with the Tips on Tuesday. (Chris Mast / Everett Silvertips)

Silvertips’ rookie sensation named WHL Player of the Week.

Landon DuPont recorded two goals and three assists in two games against Seattle.

Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 29, the Western Hockey League announced.

The 15-year-old was previously named Rookie of the Month for September and October and Rookie of the Week on September 30.

DuPont led all WHL skaters this week with three goals and two assists in two games.

The Everett Silvertips faced the Seattle Thunderbirds in front of nearly 9,000 fans at Climate Pledge Arena on December 27. Seattle struck first, but DuPont found the equalizer on an early powerplay. Tyler MacKenzie took a pass down low and immediately centered for a wide-open DuPont in the slot for the one-timer. The teams were tied 2-2 in the second period, but DuPont wired a stretch pass to a streaking Caine Wilke, who slid the puck to Shea Busch for a point-blank wrister and the go-ahead goal. Everett would cruise to a 5-3 victory from there.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The following night, the rivalry matchup shifted north to Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett for the rematch. The 2023 WHL Champion Thunderbirds drew first blood again, but DuPont evened things up again on the man advantage. DuPont picked up a long rebound down low and worked the spin-o-rama to fire the puck off the far post and in. Everett would carry a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, and DuPont added to the total with his second goal of the night — another spinning effort from the slot. He added a secondary assist Carter Bear’s backhander in an eventual 6-1 victory. DuPont was named first star of the game with a two-goal, one-assist effort.

DuPont, the first exceptional status defenseman to play in the WHL, has nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points and a +22 rating in 31 games. He leads all WHL rookies in assists, points and plus-minus, and ranks second among all CHL first-year players in points.

The 5-foot-11, 179-pound rearguard is also on a five-game point streak and has only been held off the scoresheet once in December.

Everett selected DuPont with the first overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

Prior to a New Year’s Eve game against Portland, the Silvertips (27-5-2-1) were 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games to remain first in the overall WHL standings while scoring the most goals and allowing the fewest goals against.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Snohomish’s Griffin Triggs and Chase Clark celebrate getting the final out to beat Bellevue in loser-out opening round 3A state game on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish baseball mounts comeback against Bellevue

The Panthers score five runs in the sixth to win 6-2 and advance to the WIAA second round.

Prep roundup for Tuesday, May 20

Mohr scores twice to lead Wildcats to state second round.

Snohomish’s Luke Davis yells after getting an out at first base during the opening round 3A state game against Bellevue on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 11-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 11-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Jorge Polanco of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his three-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Seattle. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Simple approach leading to Polanco’s improvement

Despite not being 100% healthy, Polanco is off to a hot start… Continue reading

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates as the Thunder pull away in the fourth quarter Tuesday night in Oklahoma City to beat the Timberwolves. (Carlos Gonzalez / The Minnesota Star Tribune / Tribune News Services)
Anthony Edwards tried to rattle SGA, and it didn’t work.

Four minutes into a Western Conference finals headlined by… Continue reading

Snohomish sophomore Deyton Wheat (22) celebrates his go-ahead, three-run home run with senior Brayden Holscher (11) during the Panthers' 4-2 win against Monroe in a District 1 3A consolation game in Woodinville, Washington on May 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Brea Bursch / Snohomish Baseball)
Snohomish, Shorewood earn state baseball tourney berths

Panthers top Monroe 4-2, Stormrays blank Edmonds-Woodway 7-0 in District 1 3A consolation.

The Shorewood boys soccer team celebrates with their trophy after winning the District 1 3A title on May 17, 2025 at Shoreline Stadium. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer storms to district three-peat

An early penalty lifts the Stormrays to a 1-0 win over Monroe in the title game.

File Photo: Stanwood senior Gavin Gehrman delivers a pitch during the Spartans' 8-3 win against Arlington in Stanwood, Washington on March 19, 2025. In Stanwood's 7-4 loss to Mount Vernon in the District 1 3A Championship on May 17, 2025, Gehrman went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Stanwood baseball slips in District 1 3A Championship

The Spartans’ early 3-0 lead crumbles as Mount Vernon wins 7-4 in comeback.

Jackson High School's Kyle Peacocke hands the 2023 WIAA class 4A softball championship trophy to the team after their win in Richland, Wash., on Sat., May 27. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)
Prep state tournaments set to begin this week

Here’s a look at where local teams will open tournament play.

Weekend prep baseball roundup for May 16-17

Reese Logsdon leads Archbishop Murphy to state.

Weekend prep boys soccer roundup for May 16-17

Warriors, Wildcats, Scots advance to state.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.