Landon DuPont Joins Michigan as NCAA Becomes Top Draft Destination
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Former Everett Silvertips defenseman follows a growing trend of elite prospects choosing college hockey over the CHL to challenge older competition.
Landon DuPont is making a high-profile jump to the NCAA, joining the University of Michigan as a freshman. According to Sportsnet, the former Everett Silvertips defenseman is following a path similar to Gavin McKenna, who left the WHL for Penn State one year prior. Both players opted for Big Ten programs after leading their respective teams to Memorial Cup finals.
DuPont enters a Michigan program that is currently ranked No. 2 in both national polls. He joins a roster featuring several high-end prospects, including Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage, Nashville Predators goalie Jack Ivankovic, and three first-round freshmen: forwards JP Hurlbert (Detroit Red Wings) and Jack Nesbitt (Philadelphia Flyers), and defenseman Cameron Reid (Predators).
DuPont's move highlights a broader shift in the developmental landscape for NHL prospects. Sportsnet reports that the NCAA is increasingly popular for top draft picks; while 10 first-rounders from the 2025 draft played college hockey the following season, that number has risen to 14 for the 2026 class. This trend is bolstered by the NCAA now allowing former CHL players to compete, though elite players like DuPont are choosing to enter the college ranks even before they are eligible for the NHL Draft to face stiffer, older competition.