Each Everett Silvertips’ rearguard Landon DuPont (17G-43A in 64 GP) and Vancouver Giants blueliner Ryan Lin (5G-48A in 60 GP) put collectively spectacular campaigns that rank amongst a few of the finest rookie seasons by a defenceman in current CHL historical past.
Particularly, by registering over 50 factors throughout the 2024-25 marketing campaign, the 15-year-old DuPont and the 16-year-old Lin positioned themselves among the many ten highest-scoring U17 defencemen within the CHL over the past 35 years (see full listing under).
DuPont, a product of Calgary, Atla., completed his first common season within the WHL with 60 factors in 64 video games, rating fourth amongst U17 defencemen within the CHL since 1990. The 2027 NHL Draft prospect was the primary rookie defenceman within the WHL to achieve the 50-point plateau since Hockey Corridor of Famer and Kamloops Blazers (WHL) alumnus Scott Niedermayer (69 factors) achieved the feat in 1989-90. The 15-year-old was additionally the primary U17 blueliner within the CHL to achieve 60 factors since Windsor Spitfires (OHL) graduate Ryan Ellis (63 factors) did it 17 years in the past.
In the meantime, with 53 factors in 60 appearances in 2024-25, Lin positioned himself seventh amongst U17 defencemen within the CHL since 1990. By amassing 50-plus factors throughout his rookie season, the 2026 NHL Draft prospect turned simply the second rookie defenceman aged 16 or youthful to hit that mark since Niedermayer, doing so shortly after DuPont achieved the feat. Furthermore, in Vancouver Giants franchise historical past, solely two 16-year-old skaters have now recorded extra factors than Lin throughout their rookie season: Gilbert Brule, who had 60 in 2003-04, and Cameron Schmidt, who had 58 in 2023-24.
Along with rating fourth in scoring on the listing of U17 defencemen within the CHL since 1990, DuPoint is the lone 15-year-old to crack the listing. His 60 factors are probably the most by a 15-year-old defenceman within the CHL in over 35 years, if not longer. DuPont’s scoring mark in 2024-25 can be probably the most by a defenceman who was ever been granted distinctive standing (see full listing under).
The 60 factors from DuPont solely trailed Oshawa Generals (OHL) alumnus John Tavares (77 factors), Erie Otters (OHL) graduate Connor McDavid (66 factors), and Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) alum Shane Wright (66 factors) by way of factors registered by an distinctive standing participant of their first season within the CHL (see full listing under).
Averaging almost a degree per recreation, DuPont topped all rookie scorers within the WHL throughout the 2024-25 marketing campaign, trailing solely Calgary Flames prospect and Shawinigan Cataractes ahead Matvei Gridin (79 factors) amongst first-year gamers within the CHL. In the meantime, Lin ranked second in rookie scoring by a defenceman in each the WHL and CHL behind solely DuPont throughout the 2024-25 season.
It was roughly a yr in the past that DuPont turned simply the ninth Distinctive Standing Participant in CHL historical past and the primary defenceman in WHL historical past to have obtained this distinction to compete full-time as a 15-year-old. Final Might, the Everett Silvertips drafted the younger blueliner with the primary total choose within the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. In November 2024, DuPont tallied 4 assists in 4 video games en path to a silver medal with Canada Purple on the U17 World Hockey Problem. Following his sturdy play in Sarnia, DuPont was named to the 2024 World U17 All-Star Group. In 2024-25, DuPont performed an vital position in lifting the No. 5-ranked Everett Silvertips to the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy because the 2024-25 WHL Common Season champions, which marked the second time in franchise historical past that they’ve achieved the feat. The Silvertips have been the lone WHL membership to high 100 factors this season, having gained a league-leading 48 video games.
In the meantime, the Vancouver Giants drafted Lin with the sixth total choose within the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. The 16-year-old from Richmond, B.C., appeared in a single regular-season recreation and three playoff matches within the 2023-24 season earlier than making an instantaneous affect in his 16-year-old season. Already in his younger profession, the 16-year-old from Richmond, B.C., has earned a gold medal representing his nation, having gained gold with Canada White on the U17 World Hockey Problem.
MOST POINTS BY A U17 DEFENCEMAN IN THE CHL SINCE 1990
1. Scott Niedermayer – Kamloops Blazers / WHL – 69 factors (1989-90)
2. François Groleau – Shawinigan Cataractes / QMJHL – 65 factors (1989-90)
3. Ryan Ellis – Windsor Spitfires / OHL – 63 factors (2007-08)
4. Landon DuPont – Everett Silvertips / WHL – 60 factors (2024-25)
5. Michael Del Zotto – Oshawa Generals / OHL – 57 factors (2006-07)
6. Ryan Merkley – Guelph Storm / OHL – 55 factors (2016-17)
7. Ryan Lin – Vancouver Giants / WHL – 53 factors (2024-25)
8. Alex Pietrangelo – Mississauga IceDogs / OHL – 52 factors (2006-07)
9. Cam Barker – Medication Hat Tigers / WHL – 47 factors (2002-03)
10. Trevor Daley – Soo Greyhounds / OHL – 46 factors (1999-00)
MOST POINTS BY AN EXCEPTIONAL STATUS PLAYER IN THEIR FIRST CHL SEASON
1. John Tavares – Oshawa Generals / OHL – 77 factors (2005-06 / 65 GP)
T2. Connor McDavid – Erie Otters / OHL – 66 factors (2012-13 / 63 GP)
T2. Shane Wright – Kingston Frontenacs / OHL – 66 factors (2019-20 / 58 GP)
4. Landon DuPont – Everett Silvertips / WHL – 60 factors (2024-25 / 64 GP)
5. Michael Misa – Saginaw Spirit / OHL – 56 factors (2022-23 / 45 GP)
6. Joe Veleno – Saint John Sea Canine / QMJHL – 43 factors (2015-16 / 62 GP)
7. Aaron Eklad – Barrie Colts / OHL – 29 factors (2011-12 / 63 GP)
8. Connor Bedard – Regina Pats / WHL – 28 factors (2020-21 / 15 GP)
9. Sean Day – Mississauga Steelheads / OHL – 16 factors (2013-14 / 60 GP)
MOST POINTS BY AN EXCEPTIONAL STATUS DEFENCEMAN IN CHL HISTORY
1. Landon DuPont – Everett Silvertips / WHL – 60 factors (2024-25 / 64 GP)
2. Aaron Ekblad – Barrie Colts / OHL – 53 factors (2013-14 / 58 GP)
3. Sean Day – Windsor Spitfires & Kingston / OHL – 47 factors (2017-18 / 50 GP)
4. Sean Day – Mississauga Steelheads & Windsor Spitfires / OHL – 37 factors (2016-17 / 63 GP)
5. Sean Day – Mississauga Steelheads / OHL – 36 factors (2014-15 / 61 GP)
6. Aaron Ekblad – Barrie Colts / OHL – 34 factors (2012-13 / 54 GP)
7. Aaron Ekblad – Barrie Colts / OHL – 29 factors (2011-12 / 63 GP)
8. Sean Day – Mississauga Steelheads / OHL – 22 factors (2015-16 / 57 GP)
9. Sean Day – Mississauga Steelheads / OHL – 16 factors (2013-14 / 60 GP)
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