After Connor Bedard, another young prodigy in Western Canada could bear the label of “exceptional player”: defenseman Landon DuPont.
According to a Sportsnet article, the 14-year-old right-handed throw guard in Calgary is already excelling against 18-year-olds. In the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), a preparatory tournament for youth under 18, DuPont is his team's leading scorer with 13 goals and 33 points in 16 games.
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According to his coach James Poole, who trained in the Midget AAA circuit for 15 years, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound athlete can do anything on the ice.
“Obviously he’s a budding superstar,” he said, emphasizing that he’s never seen a better 14-year-old. And I had the opportunity to see Bedard when I was 14.”
“Landon is special,” Poole added. A defender who does what he does and how much the game revolves around him is very special. I think the skating is the first thing you notice. He reads the game faster than anyone else. Cale Makar comes to mind when I think about how much the game revolves around him.”
According to the coach, Poole could definitely shine in the WHL, the western junior circuit, at 15 years old. DuPont is already the tournament's leading scorer against players four years his senior.
“If he decides to go that route [de la WHL]“He deserves to be one of those great players,” said Poole, whose school has produced a long line of NHL defensemen such as Brandon Montour, Tyler Myers, Matt Dumba, Jake Bean and Thomas Hickey.
The main interest varies between the Western Junior Circuit and the NCAA. DuPont draws inspiration from his idols: Quinn Hugues and Cale Makar.
“I just try not to think about it too much and try to play my game and have fun. I just keep my doors open.”