Red Wings prospects JP Hulrbert and Victor Plante “made the cut” and remained with Team USA’s World Junior Summer Showcase team after Adam Nightingale’s team halved its roster halfway through the WJSS in Windsor.
This morning, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff has posted an article about Hurlbert’s tenacity, as described by coach Nightingale…
“He’s got poise with the puck, right?” USA World Junior coach Adam Nightingale said. He’s coaching Hurlbert on the USA roster at the current World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor. “I think he’s competitive at the puck. Sometimes that gets overlooked. You just look at the goals, but when I’m watching him, I see a guy that competes at the puck, and he definitely has a good sense for the game.”
From Hurlbert’s point of view, it’s an element of his game that never gets overlooked. His tenacious determination on the forecheck often wins him the puck, and as his goal output tells us, once he has the puck, he often wins the day.
“I think that’s a big thing for me,” Hurlbert said. “The more I can have the puck on my stick, the more dangerous I am. So, you know, the best defense is getting it back right away and creating offense. So that’s kind of something that I really focus on, and that’s just hard work getting the puck back.”
Hurlbert told Smith that he’s trying to remain grounded as he engages in whirlwind summer of being drafted, living Detroit to train with Red Wings prospects, and preparing to begin his freshman season at the University of Michigan…
“Yeah, it’s been nonstop,” Hurlbert said. “I think that’s what you want, but for sure I’m trying to, you know, stay where my feet are. I think I spent a lot of time in Michigan this summer, so getting to know the area and this is what you want. This is why you play hockey, to be a part of all of these things. So just having a lot of fun with it.”
And Smith also posted a bit of praise for Plante this morning:
Playing on the top line centered by Sammy Nelson, Plante has only been held scoreless once so far in his WJSS matchups, in the opening game against Finland. Plante followed it up with a three assist performance against Sweden on Monday, and notched another yesterday with the combined USA roster.
Another of the Red Wings draft picks, JP Hurlbert, has also been giving a solid showing. While Hurlbert hasn’t yet lit the lamp, he has drawn praise from Team USA’s Coach, Adam Nightingale. Nightingale will be seeing a lot of University of Michigan commit Hurlbert even after the Showcase as head coach of Michigan State.
Victor Plante(2nd round’26) assist 🍎 from today. Simple but good chip and go for Nelson(who’s going to be a top end center in the 2027 draft that the wings should be looking at). #LGRW pic.twitter.com/srL0ZAkg3r
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) July 29, 2026
