The Michigan State hockey program is locked in a recruiting battle with rival Michigan for one of the sport’s elite prospects, with a decision likely coming within the week.
Landon DuPont, a 17-year-old right-shot defenseman and current projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NHL draft, will be visiting both campuses this week, according to Elite Prospects writer Cam Robinson.
Dupont played the past two seasons with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League and helped lead the Silvertips to the Chynoweth Cup, given to the winner of the WHL, and to the Memorial Cup final, the playoff tournament that encompasses the three winners of the Canadian Hockey League divisions.
DuPont had 17 goals and 43 assists in 64 games in his first season as a 16-year-old, then followed it up with 18 goals and 55 assists, including five goals and 18 assists in the postseason, for Everett this year.
MSU is looking to add one more defenseman for this season after blue-liner Tommy Bleyl, an MSU commit, confirmed to the Athletic’s Scott Wheeler that he will return to Moncton in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League next season and will wait to join the Spartans until 2027-28.
The Spartans and Wolverines have been in plenty of recruiting battles over the past few seasons, notably for goaltender Trey Augustine, who was committed to U-M before changing course and going to MSU.
In three seasons for the Spartans, Augustine led the Spartans to three Big Ten regular-season titles and won the Richter Award and Big Ten Goaltender of the Year in his junior year. Augustine turned pro this spring and signed with the Detroit Red Wings and is expected to play for the team’s American League Hockey affiliate in Grand Rapids next season.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott and Bluesky @nathanielbott.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU, Michigan hockey locked in recruiting battle for top 2027 prospect
Reporting by Nathaniel Bott, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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By Nathaniel Bott, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
