‘Superstar in the making’: Landon DuPont’s ‘special’ talent shines in minor hockey
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CALGARY – It’s not often a 14-year-old can hold his own against 18-year-olds, let alone dominate.
But that’s exactly what Landon DuPont is doing.
Just one year after being introduced to contact hockey, DuPont is piecing together the type of season with Edge School’s U18 squad that will very likely land him in elite company.
Should the slick-skating defenceman choose to go the Western Hockey League route, there’s little doubt he’d be the first pick overall this spring and would be the second player ever granted exceptional status to play in the league at 15.
The only other one was Connor Bedard.
He would join John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, Joe Veleno and Shane Wright as the only eight in CHL lore to be so-honoured.
“I just try to not think about it too much and try to play my game and have fun out there,” said the talented Calgarian, who has yet to commit to the junior or NCAA route.
“I’m just kind of keeping my options open.”
Edge coach James Poole has no illusions his leading scorer will be back next season, as he’s already the best player on his team and one of the best in his league.
Did we mention he’s in Grade 9?
“Obviously he’s a superstar in the making, and he’s the real deal,” said Poole, who has spent 15 years coaching Midget AAA and junior A and insists he’s never seen a better 14-year-old.
“I got a chance to see Bedard at 14.
“Landon is special. A defenceman doing what he does and how much the game revolves around him is pretty special.
“I think the skating is the first thing, and he reads the game just a couple plays ahead of everyone else.
“Cale Makar comes to mind in terms of how much the game revolves around him.
“Everyone likes to say they’re Cale Makar, but I think we’ve got the real deal here that actually legitimately plays, and that can actually take over a game, like him.”
There’d be no argument from Poole against granting DuPont exceptional status, designed only for uniquely talented and mature under-agers whose ongoing development is more likely to be significantly enhanced by playing in the CHL.
“If he chooses to go that route he’d be well-deserving to be one of those special players that can do that,” said Poole, whose school has produced a long line of NHL defencemen, including Brandon Montour, Tyler Myers, Matt Dumba, Jake Bean and Thomas Hickey.
“I think he’s capable of making that adjustment next year and playing as a 15-year-old.”
DuPont admits he wondered how he’d adjust to playing with kids four years older than him, but quickly proved he belonged.
He leads the team in points by a wide margin, with 13 goals and 33 points in 16 games, which includes a point in every game and four game-winners.
He’s ninth in league scoring, with every player ahead of him much older.
“It’s cool to see all those older guys and see where I fit in,” said the 5-foot-11, 165-pound blue liner who doesn’t turn 15 until late May.
“I feel like I do alright, and feel like I’m physically there with them.
“Obviously it’s a big jump, but I think I’m handling it pretty good.”
As evidenced by his play at the Circle K Classic U18 tourney this week, he is targeted by every team he plays against, yet continually bounces back from hit after hit.
“You obviously take some big hits, but hop into an ice bath when you’re home and right back at it tomorrow,” he beamed.
DuPont is the son of Micki DuPont, a late Flames draft pick in 2000, who was an undersized defenceman who played a few dozen NHL games before flourishing overseas.
Dad coached his son most of his life and has done a brilliant job keeping his son humble and grounded, while helping him turn into a talent this city hasn’t seen since Makar.
“He’s amazing, my dad is always giving me advice to be a better player and better person off the ice,” said DuPont, a right-shot defender.
“I’m super thankful and grateful for him.”
So is Poole.
“Give his dad some credit, he played some hockey,” smiled Poole.
“Landon’s been a rink rat that has been around the rink a lot of time.
“He gets it. He acts like a pro at 14 years old, which is special. And he doesn’t ask for any special treatment, which is also special. He wants to be just one of the 20.
“As a coach it’s kind of refreshing when you get a kid that special and there’s no attitude that comes with it.”
True to form, DuPont describes himself as an offensive defenceman, “who skates alright” – a vast understatement for a player who often becomes the central figure on the ice at both ends.
“While it looks like he’s going a million miles an hour he thinks it slower than anyone else – the game slows down to him,” said Poole.
“For all the offensive instincts he has and how aggressive he plays the game, he’s rarely on the wrong side of the puck, and if he does, he’s able to make it up pretty quick.
“And he’s got a great stick.
“He’s a player that you can use in any situation.
“It’s nice to have a guy that not only generates a lot offensively, but on the defensive side he’s reliable.”
Kind of like DuPont’s favourite two players.
“Quinn Hughes is my idol, and I also like Cale Makar a lot,” said DuPont.
“I watch their games and watch their clips and try to do that myself on the ice.
“They both have unreal edge work and are both two-way d-men who think heads up and always make the right play.”
Sounds an awful lot like western Canada’s next young sensation.
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