The Western Hockey League (WHL) launched its latest “distinctive participant” on Monday in Calgary.
Judging by the reward being heaped on Landon DuPont, the 14-year-old goes to be a participant price watching.
“If you watch Landon play, you might be drawn to his ability, to his skating and his expertise, his imaginative and prescient on the ice … However when you might have the chance to satisfy him and to speak to him, you additionally perceive the concept of outstanding character, distinctive integrity and distinctive maturity,” stated Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of excessive efficiency and hockey operations with Hockey Canada.
It’s these traits and DuPont’s plain ability that led to him being granted distinctive standing to play as a 15-year-old within the Western Hockey League.
“I feel there’s going to be challenges alongside the best way, however I feel I’ve a superb assist system round me with my coaches and advisers and household. Everybody helped me alongside the best way. I don’t assume there’s something I can’t deal with,” DuPont advised reporters on the press convention.
DuPont has been taking part in with the Edge Hockey program, main his squad in scoring with 62 factors and setting a single-season scoring document for a defenceman.
Salmond says there’s a hazard in placing younger males right into a place with older athletes however he stands by the monitor document of the eight different younger hockey gamers who’ve been granted distinctive participant standing.
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“I feel we’ve been profitable in that. You don’t at all times get it proper from a hockey aspect, nevertheless it’s most likely extra essential to get it proper from a maturity aspect,” Salmond stated. “If you take a look at the historical past of the gamers who’ve been granted distinctive participant standing, I feel it speaks to them as folks.”
Salmond stated getting the standing comes from the idea that “the participant is so distinctive that with out being granted that chance to play at a better degree, it is going to be a detriment to their improvement.”
DuPont is now the ninth participant and third defenceman to be granted distinctive standing. Connor Bedard is the one different participant to be given the particular privilege within the WHL.
“I feel we’re very aware of attempting to create an atmosphere that’s not overwhelming or disruptive to Landon’s life as a younger man, as a youngster, as a highschool pupil,” stated WHL commissioner Dan Close to.
“Inevitably there might be some challenges that he should take care of — the adversity and the highs and the lows of profitable and dropping and the stress and the media — however we noticed a video this morning that Connor despatched to Landon, and I anticipate that these two will change into buddies as they start to share experiences and be taught from each other,” Close to stated.
“And his dad and mom and Landon’s dad and mom will wish to develop a relationship, as a result of there’s no higher instance than the one from Connor Bedard and he did it with such grace and so efficiently,” Close to stated.
DuPont stated Bedard has been a task mannequin for him.
“He simply advised me to maintain having enjoyable and maintain being a child, that’s what it’s all about,” DuPont stated.
The blueliner was born in Calgary and raised in Switzerland and Germany the place his dad, Micki, performed hockey.
“The primary factor is simply ensuring he has enjoyable and that he’s nonetheless a child in order that’s actually our focus,” stated Erin DuPont, Landon’s mother.
Landon stated he plans on ignoring all of the chatter on social media and specializing in what he likes to do.
“I don’t play it for the likes and the clicks on-line. I play to have enjoyable with my buddies and teammates,” DuPont stated.
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