Landon DuPont Emerges as 2026 Memorial Cup Star

Landon DuPont scored two goals in his return from a game-time decision to lead Everett past the semifinal and into the 2026 Memorial Cup final.

Rapid Ascent Through Exceptional Status

DuPont entered the CHL as one of fewer than ten players granted exceptional status, allowing him to join the WHL at age 15. He earned CHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 after a dominant debut season. In the 2026 playoffs he recorded 23 points across 18 games to help the Silvertips capture the WHL championship.

Head coach Steve Hamilton described the organization’s approach as giving DuPont space to develop naturally rather than over-coaching. The strategy paid immediate dividends, with DuPont adapting quickly to pro-level demands without repeated instruction on systems.

At the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna, DuPont posted four points and 13 shots in three round-robin games before missing one contest with an injury concern. His return against the semifinal opponent produced the decisive two-goal outburst that advanced Everett.

The performance placed DuPont alongside Joe Veleno as only the second exceptional status player in CHL history to score at the Memorial Cup. Veleno had tallied three goals for Saint John in 2017.

Dominant Return Fuels Final Hopes

DuPont expressed relief at rejoining the lineup after watching from the stands. He described the atmosphere in Kelowna as motivating and noted the mental ease of preparing for a win-or-go-home contest.

Hamilton confirmed the unique challenge of managing an exceptional player, emphasizing that DuPont dictated his own workload after early practices showed he belonged on the roster. The coach credited the organization for allowing the teenager to remain himself on and off the ice.

DuPont’s four points through the tournament already exceed the output of many veteran Memorial Cup participants. His 13 shots demonstrate sustained offensive pressure even in limited action.

A victory in Sunday’s final would add DuPont to the short list of exceptional status winners that currently includes only Sean Day and Michael Misa.

The Silvertips bench boss stressed that the focus remains on letting DuPont continue his natural progression rather than forcing additional preparation for the championship game.