Up My Hockey with Jason Podollan
Up My Hockey with Jason Podollan
EP. 165 - JP Hurlbert - From Texas To The Top Of The WHL
A candid talk with WHL scoring leader JP Hurlbert on why fun, authenticity, and steady habits beat hype in a draft year. From Texas roots and USNTDP grind to choosing Kamloops under the new CHL rule, he lays out a practical blueprint for growth and leadership.
• early WHL road life as culture builder
• USNTDP selection and training like a pro
• choosing Kamloops after the CHL rule change
• leadership as authenticity, not a script
• draft noise management and daily process
• film study beyond highlights for real gains
• building a shooter’s identity and skating pop
• balancing joy and grind with golf and fishing
• comparisons between USHL and WHL pace
• mentors, Stankoven’s motor, and paying it forward
Check out UMH68 details and watch lists at UpMyHockey.com. For team mindset training: email jason@upmyhockey.com or use the site contact form
For me, like, you know, it's a game, right? At the end of the day, and it's about having fun. If you're not having fun, why do it? And, you know, the team aspect is is huge and that's what makes hockey so special. And so, you know, I I like like I say, I'm I'm just a normal kid, right? I'm a 17 year old. I like to have fun with my buddies, go play some golf. I'm a big fisherman being from Texas, and so it's just kind of being a kid, going away from the rink, um, you know, just having fun and you know, playing the game I love.
SPEAKER_00:That was 2026 Top NHL Prospect, JP Herlbert, and you are listening to the Up My Hockey Podcast with Jason Padolin. Welcome to Up My Hockey with Jason Penolin, where we deconstruct the NHL journey, discuss what it takes to make it, and have a few laughs along the way. I'm your host, Jason Penolin, a 31st overall draft pick who played 41 NHL games, but thought he was destined for a thousand. Learn from my story and those of my guests. This is a hockey podcast about reaching your potential. Hey there, and welcome back, or welcome to the Up My Hockey Podcast with Jason Podolin. I am your host, Jason Podolin, and today we have a special guest by the name of JP Herlbert. Uh, JP Herlbert is an American uh from Texas who is one heck of a hockey player. Uh, such a good hockey player that he made the U.S. National Development Team program. The U-17 team has played for them nationally and uh recently made the decision with the CHL rule chains to come join the Camloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League, where he currently sits atop the WHL scoring race with uh a two-point per game average. He is uh he has met the league uh with ferocity and uh and has really done some great things in his short time uh in Canada. It's been awesome to watch uh his transition. Uh and we cover kind of that transition and and how effortless he's made it seem, uh coming to a new country, uh meeting players that he uh you know never knew half their names before, some of which he did. But to to come in cold like that, to come into a league where he doesn't know anything uh and to have the success that he's having is a clear indication of his approach to the move and just his personality in general, which which I think comes through loud and clear uh with this conversation. Uh JP's 17 years old, but uh my goodness, he comes across as a much wiser, uh, much more experienced human being. Uh I believe uh I believe his maturity speaks for itself and uh and by everything that I hear from inside the organization, uh it's authentic. Uh so what you're hearing today, although I don't know him, he uh we'd never met prior to this call. We talked in the we talked for maybe a couple minutes before I pressed record. Uh so nothing was uh nothing here was planned. Uh he never knew any of the questions. We have no history, and and I believe he just handled it like uh like a rock star, like a 10-year pro. So uh yeah, we we cover a lot of cool things. I mean his his uh his his journey like through Texas minor hockey, him getting involved in the development program, uh the transition, moving to the WHL, his thoughts on the NHL draft, his approach to development, uh his approach to leadership, and uh, and his approach to his game. Uh we we we cover it all here. And uh and this is a name, uh, if you don't know it already, uh now you do. Uh he has been rocketing up the uh up the draft rankings leaderboard with his start. You know, he was uh I believe for most things that I saw was was recognized uh well some places as low as a third rounder, up to a kind of a uh a top or a later first round pick, and he's put himself in the conversation as as uh moving well, well above that now. So that's really fun to watch. I love watching kids have success and and especially you know good, solid character kids like JP. So uh again, we wish him nothing but the best here at Up My Hockey. Uh awesome for him to come out and spend some time with us today. And I really hope that you enjoy the conversation with JP Herlbert. All right, here we are with the WHL's current leading scorer and Camloops Blazer, uh JP Herlbert. Welcome to the podcast, JP.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, thanks for having me. Excited.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I really appreciate you coming on. Uh, I know you guys just got off the big western swing. Uh that wasn't really where I planned to start, but uh that western swing for a western or eastern swing, I should say, for a western team uh can be a beast. And I know that the travel is probably uh a little dissimilar to what you've experienced in the past. What was that uh what was that whole ordeal like for you?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. Uh you know, the Sask Fraies, right? Pretty flat out there. So um, no, it was a long way to go, but you know, it was really fun to be with the team as a new guy. I think early on it was really good bonding, and you know, we we had a lot of tough games, a lot of great competition in the Western League, and you know, it was really fun to get it under get it under my belt and you know see Central Canada.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah. So you've never been up there before?
SPEAKER_01:Never, never been up in the prairies. No, I'd been to Edmonton one time, but right. Never uh never out in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's a whole different world up there. It's crazy once you see how you know how vast the WHL really is, right? From the American division in the West and the teams there, and then you get out into the prairies and and the travel that they experience. It's kind of cool that you guys got to do it, I think, though, early on. You you mentioned the bonding aspect of it. There's so much time on that freaking bus. You know, like I'm sure you're you're have a lot of time together, a lot of a lot of conversations to be had, and uh probably brought you guys together, I'd assume.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, for sure. Those road trips, they seem long in the moment, maybe, but like so many memories. Like the bus is such a great way to get to know guys, you know. We're getting off at two in the morning unloading wet gear, right? Like just little things that bond us, and you know, we really tried to have fun with it, doing little things in the hotel, watching movies. It was uh it was a great trip.
SPEAKER_00:Where was your last uh game? Was it out in Braddon?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, uh no, we were in Swift. So yeah, Swift. So busted the night. That was that was an experience laying on the on the floor at home at 10. So it was uh a new day.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, if you can't sleep on the bus in the Western League, you're gonna have a hard time. Uh I remember I played in Spokane for four years. So we every every East trip for whatever, I guess just the way it planned at the time, we always ended in Brandon. And uh, so we get on the bus after Brandon. It was 26 hours, I think, back to Spokane or something. So we'd be getting off the bus for breakfast in the morning uh in Med Hat. We'd always stop in Med Hat and kind of stretch the legs and then back on the bus again. Frick, you're pretty delirious by the time you got home.
SPEAKER_01:Oh that's a long ride.
SPEAKER_00:What uh what was the longest trip for you last year with um with the uh NTDP team?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, we went we went over to Fenland twice, so you know, not on a bus, but yeah, going uh going international is uh a really fun experience. You know, we were in Beermocky, Fenland. Uh probably never heard of that. It's uh four hours north of uh oh gosh, can't even think of it really to be honest. Helsinki, yeah, Helsinki. And yeah, we were we were ways up there, not uh no sun for two weeks, and kinda in the woods. It was uh that was an experience.
SPEAKER_00:I believe it. What we were there for.
SPEAKER_01:Uh we were there for the Veermocky Cup challenge in uh this is I think it was late December, so cold, snowy, you know, kind of it's the Finland's Olympic training facility. And yeah, we were out there. It was a great experience, you know. Small, small hotel, rink probably sat a hundred people, and you're playing against you know the top countries in the world.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, that's fun. I mean, hockey's so great for that. I remember I don't even remember which team I was with with, to be honest, but they they sent their prospects up to Turku, Finland one year uh in the summer. And so there was a couple other teams that sent their guys there. So we trained there for for two weeks or something. And yeah, like when would you ever get to go to Finland and and see that part of the world and and uh get to experience that culture? And yeah, I really enjoyed my time in Finland as well. What about the U-Haul? So I mean the UShow. So you're down there in the U show is is it is it pretty short trips most uh for the most part, or or what does that travel look like?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, for the program, I think it's maybe a little shorter than you know a typical USHL team. We got to play out east a lot against the uh Youngstown and Muskegon and Chicago. Really short trips. We had one one bus overnight the whole year, and that was the Sioux City. But you know, from a from a program standpoint, we were really lucky with our travel and you know, treated great and you know, loved playing in the USHL.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, good for you. But let's let's talk about the Dallas Stars. So you're from Texas. Uh, I'm sure you've asked been asked this question a hundred times already. But since you are an American boy, was it uh were you drawn in from the Dallas Stars and being a hockey fan and wanting to play? Like what was your introduction to the sport?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, for me, so my dad's from Detroit, and uh, you know, I was born in 08 when the Red Wings won the cup, and they were that's when they had Dod Zook and Zetterberg and you know, all those guys. So we would uh grew up watching them together on the television, and when they came to Dallas, we'd watch the games and then kind of transitioned into a stars fan as I've grown up and you know love going to the playoffs, love going to games when I'm home now. And yeah, I'm uh I'm a big stars fan.
SPEAKER_00:That's cool. So, what was the um hockey community like there where you where you were from? Was there was there a pretty good minor hockey program?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, the stars do a great job growing you know the game in Texas. I grew up playing many mites, you know, like any any kid in Canada would, just playing little cross-ice games with your buddies, and maybe a Saturday play a morning game and you know, transitioned into playing as we got older. The competition kind of kind of closes off, and you know, the high-end guys, we would go out northeast and go to Canada, Minnesota to play these northern teams. And so being able to travel at such a young age was an experience not many people can say they can do. And uh it was really cool and the development standpoint, like the coaches in Dallas are great. They're guys who've grown up playing the game, coming from Minnesota, Boston, and you know it's a it's a great group down there.
SPEAKER_00:That's awesome. Yeah, the uh I just had a flashback as you you mentioned that team that was so that was the last NHL team that I tried out for, actually. I I that's awesome. Yeah, I played for Babcock uh in Spokane, and then I went to Europe for a few years and then came back and wanted to throw my hat in the ring and try and be an NHLer again. And so the the Red Wings invited me out to their to their to you know to their main camp and played an exhibition game and what have you. But yeah, like all those guys like were there. Hasik was there and Zetterberg and Datsuk and you know uh Lidstrom. Anyways, it was it was like sitting in the hockey hall of fame when you're in the locker room with with those guys. Yeah, it was awesome. Such a great experience just to see what to see what that culture's like, you know, like how were they so successful? They were obviously great players, but just that atmosphere on that team was just fantastic to be a part of and something that I brought with me now with what I do even as a coach now, like try and recreate that. Um, it's a pretty cool vibe there. What um with with the whole because I'm a Canadian guy and getting more familiar, I just transferred here down to Cordelane, so I'm at the Cordleane Hockey Academy here now, so kind of more familiar with U.S. hockey and getting more familiar by the day. But what is that recruitment process like for you out of the Dallas Stars organization to get into the national program? Well, what were the steps you had to take for that?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, there's obviously a lot of prep schools in the U.S. And uh, you know, tremendous, uh there's tremendous academies and organizations. But for me, you know, I felt Dallas was the right path for me, and they do a great job getting you exposure to the national program. You know, you play in Detroit twice a year, and you know, one of them you're in the home rink. And so it's uh for me, it didn't feel like anything, anything any other kid got to experience, right? You know, I got the same amount of games watched as them, and you know, with with Live Barn and all these technologies today, it's uh it's really cool the fact that they could watch from you know across the United States and just was uh really lucky to have that.
SPEAKER_00:And so is there is there uh an evaluation vetting process? Did you get invited to a first stage and you have to work your way through to get to get yourself on the team? Or like what is that process all about?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I found out uh I was going to the 40 man camp for the for the national program about a month before nationals and went up there about two weeks before. And you know, it's a it's a week-long process. It's it's a hard week. It's the best best kids in the country all competing for a spot, and you know, everybody wants to be there. And it's uh it's a challenge, and it was a great experience. I look back, you know, so many friends, so so much learning moments from that. And you know, uh luckily uh, you know, made the team that weekend and you know, uh was really excited.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I I mentioned before we even pressed start here that I that I had Max Max Plant on, and and we did talk a little bit about the like once he made the team and that training experience of like when you first got there and and just some of the you know attrition that is required to to get you through. You maybe can you maybe walk us through your version of that? Like what once you make the team, you have the elation and then you show up and like things get real. How was that?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, it it gets real real quick. And um, you know, the strength and conditioning staff at the program do a great job, you know, GVN performance, they got us in shape real quick. And it's uh, you know, you're a 16-year-old playing in a 20-year-old league, and you know, you're a small younger team, so you gotta mature quickly through your game, through your all-fighters performance. And so we spent hours in the gym every single day. You know, we'd we'd work out day before game, day of game after games, and you know, it's uh it's really something special. It builds a culture there, and you know, uh, we got better uh even when we didn't want to, and it we we had fun doing it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Yeah, they teach you how to be a pro, I guess, real young there, right? And that is one of the things with uh just the approach to development, I guess, you know, at the end of the day. You know, what what are you trying to do? US you want to win hockey games, I'm sure, and you want to be successful there, but the idea is like how good are you going to be when you leave? And it sounds like that's sort of the approach that they take for the for the group.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, for sure. It's uh you know, it can be challenging at times, but it's adversity and it's learning how to deal with it, and it's uh it's really it's really well done.
SPEAKER_00:How did you guys do it in the in the league? I didn't look up like wins and losses. How do you how does that team generally do in the in the USHL?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, the 17 years a hard year. It's uh you know, it's it's long days of training, and you know, you're you're a 16-year-old kid playing against 18, 19, 20 year olds, so it's tough, you know, not a lot of wins come in really, to be honest with you, but yeah, it's uh learning how to compete, learning how to play the game, and it's uh it's you know, learning how to deal with adversity and uh learning how to manage it.
SPEAKER_00:Did you know that going in, like is uh and or or was that one of your you know kind of focused skill sets that hey, like this is there might not be as much success as I want on the ice, but I am here for this reason. Like I want to learn how to how to deal with this stuff. I want to, I want, I want to learn the trials and tribulations of being a hockey player.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, going in it's gonna be hard. You know, there's no there's no secret about it. They tell you it, and you get there and it's it's a whole nother level. It's you know, it's it's it's hard and it's challenging, and you know, you know that going in, and it's just how much you love the game, and every day you gotta go in there with your head up and put a smile on your face and just trying to get better, and you know, good things will happen when you do that.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, good for you. Yeah, you don't know what you don't know, right? Like guys can tell you that were there before, and you know, and you can hear it from whoever, but until you're actually in the trenches, uh, you you you don't really you don't really get it. And and now that you have that experience, I'm sure that's that's helped you, you know, with where you're at right now. Uh just for some of those people that don't know, so like that team essentially stays together. Like you were one of the few that have now left, and obviously you're playing for the Camloose Blazers, but then that team again would come back as 17-year-olds for their draft year and play in the in the same league against the same teams that you did the year before, correct?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, that's correct.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, and so with with that, obviously, you know, that there's a lot of prestige around that team. Obviously, there's a lot of you know draft picks from that team. Um, I'm it's uh you know, it's it's an accolade for sure. And and uh and you decided to come to the CHL. I just would love to hear like the thought process that you and your team went through uh to to to figure out that you know what the Western League is where I want to be this year.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, it's always an honor to represent your country and play for USA. And you know, uh went home after the year and just kind of had talks with my family, my advisors, and really kind of summed up what I, you know, want to be and my goals. And you know, just felt Cam Loops was, you know, a great team, great staff. And you know, it was the opportunity to go play in the Western Hockey League with some that was uh was really great. And uh, you know, it's a long process, but I was uh really happy and excited to be in Cam Loops.
SPEAKER_00:That's cool. Yeah, well you seem to even the way you talked about Finland and like your experience with the prairies, it seems like you're a guy that enjoys new experiences. Like, you know, not everybody has a different personality when it comes to that stuff, too, right? We don't want sometimes we we we we keep away from newness because we like comfortability, right? So is that something that's kind of just about you? Like that doesn't that you're not shy about stepping into new situations and new experiences?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, I I don't think I'd you know really be shy about it. I know I I kind of love meeting new people, you know, it's uh it's a new country, right? So it's you know, guys never really met or played with, and you know, I can just I'm thinking back to the first week when I got here, it was like nerves, but so so excited to meet these guys and play together. It's uh it's really fun to just meet new people and be a part of a new culture and team.
SPEAKER_00:Good for you. Like what like let's pretend you didn't have that approach. And and I know that you've probably met guys that don't, right? Like have a hard time meeting people, have a hard time putting themselves out there. Uh one of the things I like talking about is like is that ability to be comfortable when maybe you're not comfortable, because what happens off the ice usually is reflective of what happens on the ice, right? Like if you're if you feel like you're on an island or you're the only American or I don't know any of these guys, and then you don't start making any connections, probably it doesn't flow as well as it did. So uh can can you put the other hat on there or maybe speak to that just for the young players listening about the uh your willingness to to put yourself in situations to to make those connections?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, for me, like you know, it's a game, right? At the end of the day, and it's about having fun. If you're not having fun, why do it? And you know, the team aspect is is huge, and that's what makes hockey so special, and it's uh it's a small community and everybody loves it. And so I think that's the way to look at it, right? Like nobody's gonna judge you off one way or the other, how you play the game. It's you know, it's a team sport and everybody has their own style, everybody's their own person, right? Guys are maybe a little more outgoing or a little quieter, and you know, I think it's just accepting that and learning to have fun with it is really important to look at.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I love that. Take a short break from the conversation to tell you it is umh68 time. That is the Up My Hockey 68, the invitational event that is running throughout Western Canada this 2026. We have released the watch lists on the UpmyHockey.com website. So you should get over to UpmyHockey.com, go to the W uh uh the Umh68 portion and see what's available in your province. We are unleashing uh a female event in BC, in Saskatchewan, and in Manitoba this year, uh different age groups on that. So get to get um get your eyes on on where we're coming, uh, who we are uh catering to, and get your names on the watch list. Uh another uh another opportunity with UMH 68 is for people who want to be involved in it from a sponsorship category. Had some amazing sponsors last year, Biosteel, uh Elite Prospects. Uh we had um we we had lots of involvement from local companies and uh and it was just a it was a fantastic, fantastic 2025 season. Uh but as always we're looking to grow. Uh one of the things that I take pride in with the UMH 68 is keeping the costs low for what for what the players get at our events. Uh the the value is is so recognizable when you compare it to other showcases, other events that go on. And for for me, I don't want to raise the prices to match the value. I would actually like to lower the prices so it makes it it makes it attainable for every player that has earned an invite to get there. And we can only do that uh with the sponsorship dollars and with the people that want to get involved and donate to the scholarship fund. So if you are somebody that's an individual that wants to support young hockey players to come to a great development showcase event, uh then by all means, uh please reach out. Uh if you are a company owner, whether it be a local company or a provincial company or a national company that would like to get behind female uh and male youth hockey, uh, that really supports the development of the person behind the hockey player. One of the things that my hockey prides itself in, then by all means, please reach out. Uh we'd love to get you involved and we'd love to make this be the place uh for development in uh in Western Canada. So uh thanks for tuning in. Uh Um H68 again. The watch lists are out. Check it out. Now let's get back to the conversation. With the rule change, so like when did you when did you commit to University of Michigan?
SPEAKER_01:I committed August of last year.
SPEAKER_00:August of last year. Okay, so 2024.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, so the rule change hadn't come into play yet. So the plan I would assume for you was to graduate high school when they want you there, maybe as a graduate, then you show up there as a true freshman and plays. Was that is that accurate?
SPEAKER_01:Probably, yeah, I'd say so.
SPEAKER_00:Okay, so the rule change happens, and now the CSCHL opens up to you. Um, you talked about your decision. I we don't have to we don't have to go granular on that, but like how familiar were you with the CHL just in the first place? You know, a lot of like you talk about the paths available, like generally speaking, for American players, there was kind of one path if you wanted to play school. You'd obviously made that decision that you wanted to play by your commitment. So uh when that door opened, were you very familiar with the CHL as a as a league or or what was all about?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, it was it's obviously, you know, it's one of the best leagues in the world, right? And you know, they produce so much NHL talent. And you watched the draft this year, it's a lot of CHL guys, but for me, you know, I did a lot of homework and looked into it even more. Like be lying to you if I told you I knew where Cam Loops was before the rule change, right? But um, but no, it's uh you know, it's such an amazing league. There's so much talent, and it's really just it's fun to play in, right? And that's uh that's what I love about it.
SPEAKER_00:That's awesome. So the the rule change happened, and that's when you've kind of put on the the thinking cap of like, hey, what is well, what am I gonna do here? Um Cam Loops obviously probably calls you talk to your agent, you talk to the program, and you and you figure out what what the best suit is for you. Uh and it looks like it's working out pretty well. You're happy with your decision so far?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, it's been great here. Um, you know, obviously really early on, but uh you know, city's amazing looking out at the mountains every morning's uh pretty cool experience, and you know, I love it here and um I'm already looking forward to the next game.
SPEAKER_00:That's awesome. Yeah, Clouston, uh I mean, my son was at camp with you actually. That's another thing I didn't tell you before. So uh yeah, Hudson Putolin was a draft pick of the Blazers. So I was there watching camp, uh, saw you at camp, uh heard some of the interviews and and the way uh the staff was talking about you. And and one of the things that struck me was Clouston like said that it he almost had to be reminded that you were 17 years old. Um not necessarily the way you play, although he did say that. You know, I mean, like you you play older than you are, but just even your approach, you know, in the room and your and your your will, your ease amongst the guys and kind of your leadership qualities. Um, I think that's pretty high phrase. First of all, congratulations on that. That that that's that's awesome to hear. Uh what do you view leadership as a thing, or is it is it something that kind of uh, you know, is it a skill for you? Is it something that you're you're actively trying to work on, or or are you just kind of being natural JP Herlbert and that's the way it shows up?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, first thank you. But you know, I think leadership's it's it's so many ways, right? You know, I I think it's one of the biggest qualities is being you. Everybody's a leader in their own way. You know, you look at a guy like Sidney Crosby, he's quiet but really outgoing, supportive. And then you look at a guy like Ovechkin, who's really energetic and pushes and pushes. And so, you know, nobody a leader isn't one definition, right? And it can be so many different ways. And I think that's uh one way to look at it is just be yourself, right? And you know, there's a time to make jokes, there's a time maybe you be serious, and you know, you're in the third period trying to win a game, but I think the most important thing to take away is to be yourself.
SPEAKER_00:That is freaking fantastic advice, young man. I see what Kloustan's saying now. That's that's wise words. Uh I I I say the exact same thing. Like, and those are the most authentic leaders because you are being authentic, you know. Like I'm sure you've been in locker rooms where guys are trying to be a captain, whatever that, whatever they feel that is, you know, like I need to say something or I have to do this. Um, that sometimes doesn't ring true, right? But you know, if you are true to yourself, and I believe part of that is even like your your trueness and authenticity authenticity to your preparation. You know, some guys, some guys are are are wired in the room, some guys are dancing, bouncing off the walls before a game, right? Other guys are sitting in their stall and and doing their thing. And I think if you can find that that recipe card as an individual and then just live that, you know, amongst the group, that's usually a pretty good indicator that you're leading, provided that you have the compete and work ethic and those other things that leaders all need to have. So um that's great. It seems like you're pretty comfortable in your own skin, and I'm sure that that is reflective amongst uh amongst the group. Uh when it comes to when it comes to the draft, uh obviously it's a big year, right? This is a big year for you, uh, big year for all the 17-year-olds out there. It's it's not the end of the road by any stretch of the imagination, it's more like the beginning. Uh, but the placement does matter, you know, and and uh we we've seen that time and time again that a first rounder is is you know a little bit higher in the totem pool, a little bit more rope, a little more opportunity. Um, so kind of how this year plays out matters for guys. What what is there approach for you? You mean you seem fun-loving. I just want to go out there and have a good time. Uh, is that your recipe card or is is there did you have goals at the start of the season what you wanted to accomplish?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, the draft's really important, right? It's something you've you look for since you were a little kid, watching guys walk across the stage. And, you know, there's uh there's obviously goals set, and you know, I think it's every kid's dream to be a first-round pick. And but, you know, from a player standpoint, I try to just, you know, it's another day, right? It's it's a Monday, and you just put your head down, you go to work. And, you know, I think a big thing I love to say is, you know, with team success comes individual success, right? And so focusing on where you are, you know, the draft's six months away and it's not coming any sooner. And so it's just having fun each day and you know, let it come to you.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, good for you. With uh with that approach, and like you're you're on a roll right now, and and uh you know, I hope nothing but the best for you, and it continues it continues to roll. Whether whether you're on a high or whether you're on a low, I mean at any point in your career, and maybe this year that there's there's gonna be noise, right? That there's noise out there, and I know you guys in your generation are are more plugged in uh than ever. You could listen to stuff all day long, probably if you wanted to. Like, how do you manage that side of the game? Like the ice is taking care of itself. How do you manage your time away from the rink and what's being said?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, I think you're like like you said, there's a lot of noise, and just try and ignore it as best as you can. You know, nothing's gonna what one guy says and another guy says isn't gonna change the outcome. And so, you know, I I like like I say, I'm I'm just a normal kid, right? I'm a 17-year-old. I like to have fun with my buddies, go play some golf. I'm a big fisherman being from Texas, and so it's just kind of being a kid, going away from the rink, um, you know, just having fun and you know, playing the game I love.
SPEAKER_00:Right. Is there a plan? Like as far as I don't know, like do you look, do you like to read articles? Do you look at the rankings? Does does that is that something that you soak up? Is that something you actively try and stay away from? Or or how do you how do you handle that?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I try to stay away from it, to be honest. It's uh you know, it's hard not to see it, right? You have uh most people nowadays have social media and might just pop up without even looking it up, but I uh try to stay away from it as best my can as best as I can and you know just have fun, play, play the right way, and you know, have build strong connections. That's what uh I'm most focused on.
SPEAKER_00:Good for you. Yeah, the the you you mentioned golf, you mentioned fishing. Uh one of the things that I talk with players about sometimes when they you know when they're super focused and driven, it can almost be too much. You know, I mean there's the there is some athletes that I'm saying, hey, do less hockey, right? Like you have to find a passion away from the sport to remind you how much you love the sport and you can get a little too wound up. Other guys are maybe the other way, right? Maybe it's it's only when they're at the rank that they're really thinking about the game, and there's probably opportunities for them to grow and develop, you know, outside of that window. Uh I love the fact that you that you do these things. Uh is is that is that part of the piece for you that that keeps the the passion and the fire fire going for uh for the times you are on the ice and in the weight room?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, I think you know, when I'm at the rink, it's it's business. And when I'm away from the rink, it's you know, being a kid, and you know, I love watching hockey, obviously, and you know, playing NHL with your your billet brother is is always fun. But yeah, um, you know, sometimes watching a movie, watching a football game, just to kind of get out of your own head and escape life almost, you know, and just you know, feel normal and have fun.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I love it. Well, you mentioned watching hockey, that's been a topic actually on the podcast a little bit. Um, I was I was sort of ri ribbing ribbing my own boys the other day because I don't think they've ever watched a full game front to back, probably in their life. You know, like they'll watch a period here and there, um, they'll watch the highlights on YouTube or wherever they watch them, you know. But that's kind of their exposure, uh, although they love the game. Uh is is watching hockey something that you personally enjoy doing?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I love watching it. You know, you can there's so much technology today, whether it's watching NHL games, like I I watch the Stars games when I can, especially being two hours behind, and or it's just watching shifts back. You know, I was on the bus last night and kind of got bored and just kind of you know went for a scroll and watched some shifts, and you know, you learn simple things like that. And you know, it's really cool. Everybody watches the highlights, but there's so much to learn within the game. Second period, nine minutes left. It might not be the most exciting part, but you know, there's so much to learn and take away, and it's it's part of it, right? And uh you can learn so much.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah, that's uh the the the play situational hockey, right? The play away from the puck, all these things that you you're mentioning there are are huge things, and especially as a young man, like trying to be a pro, like that's that's where the games are won and lost, and that's where minutes are gained and or or not earned, right? In uh are in those moments. Right now you're having the puck on your stick a lot, uh, but ever every every time the you know the the funnel gets a little tighter, it goes less and less, and it's what you're doing when you're when you're not having it that sometimes is the is the bigger deal. Uh when it comes to that development, that's definitely a piece of development. I love talking about development. You you mentioned with the with the program that you know, with your workout schedule, that there maybe wasn't the highest you know intention of being game ready, 100% game ready, you know, that we were trying to get stronger and bigger as the year went on and and uh you know and keep that as part of the development. What do you have a personal approach to this year, like with that, like trying to get better uh while you're also trying to perform?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, there's so many things that you can do to get better, right? There's like the jam and strength, and like you said, there's I'm I'm a huge believer in shooting pox, you know, after every practice. That's a hobby of mine at this point. It's kind of an addiction. I love throwing some music on, shooting pox and you know, stick handling before games. It's just little things like that to get better. And you know, I take it uh take it day by day and focus, you know, one thing doesn't feel right the last game. You get better at it during the week for the next one. And there's so you you know, there's some one percent better each day. That's one thing that's huge. You're not gonna become McDavid or overnight and might never will be, but you know, it's uh it's a process.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's endless. And and you kind of need to like that part of it, correct? Like to me, there's a mindset involved in that, like that it doesn't feel like work that you're doing it because it's uh you know, it's a thing, like you said, you got an addiction around shooting pucks right now. Like, what a great thing to be addicted to. You know, it it's gonna help you. Is is that uh is that how you feel about it? Like, is there a mindset around improving that's that's just been kind of inherent with you?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think it's just something that grows over time. You know, you love doing it, you know, the workouts, it's fun, you're blaring music, you're with your buddies, like you know, what else would you rather be doing, right? And so it's uh, you know, over time it becomes a love and then it's a hobby and it's really fun and you love doing it.
SPEAKER_00:Is there an aspect of your game right now that you that you do want to get better at? Like, do you feel that there is, I don't know if you even call it a hole, it doesn't have to be, but you know, maybe something that you want to you want to bring up. Uh I'll give you both aspects of it. Like when I'm working with an individual player, I always talk about strengths and weaknesses, and there's gonna be something about you that makes you valuable as a player, makes you unique, something that you know that you're really good at. Generally speaking, players like working on that thing, whatever that is. You know, you you you've got a lot of goals this year, and I've seen your shot. I mean, it's obviously reflective in probably how much time you've put into that shot, you know, and and here you go and trying to work on it more and more. So there's a player working on his strength. Uh, but sometimes we overlook maybe what might be a weakness, you know, and and uh and I try and cultivate that attitude of like, let's try and find that passion and that uh you know that that that attitude about getting better when it comes to that. Is there anything uh on the other side of the fence that that you're trying to trying to get better at this year as a player?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, for like for me personally, like I think skating's a huge room for improvement and it's uh you know something that's never gonna be perfect by any means for anybody. And so, you know, as it's probably not as fun as shooting pucks, but it's just as important, right? Like for me being from Texas this summer, it's so hot that uh you can't really do much outside when it's 3 p.m. And so like I'd wake up in the mornings with my dad this summer and we'd run hill sprints just to kind of improve leg strength and stability and to focus, and it might not be as fun, but it's just as just as important and it's something that everybody uh needs to focus on.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, good, yeah. You can never be too good of a skater, can you?
SPEAKER_01:No, no, no. You're like Mick David.
SPEAKER_00:Gonna take a short break from the conversation to remind you that Up My Hockey can work directly with your academy or your association or your team. Uh, we are doing that currently with the Thunder Bay Kings up in Ontario. All of their AAA programs are running through the Peak Potential Mindset Project and having coaching calls with me. It's been a fantastic experience so far for the group and for myself, and it really is a competitive advantage uh for the players that get to participate in it. Uh not only do the individual players learn how to become the best player that they can be to be able to manage their emotions, be able to control their development and their uh and their and their performance on the ice, but the group as a whole now has a whole different level of resiliency, a whole different level of uh language that they can use uh to perform together throughout the year. So if you're looking for team building 101, if you are somebody that believes in building uh the toolkit around the player uh to allow them to be the best hockey player that they can be. Uh and if you aren't doing something when it comes to mental training, mental fitness, uh whatever you may call it, then up my hockey may be where you need to look. Uh I do believe that the way that we offer the program, uh the curriculum involved, the way the players take the program, uh it really trumps anything that is out there, to my knowledge. Uh the workshop format is dead, in my opinion. Uh for me to get in front of somebody for an hour, a team, and try to communicate the skills of grit or resilience or of mental agility uh is much too long. And to be able to teach in that environment uh that just isn't absorbed enough and then things don't get applied. Uh the way that we have done it here at Up My Hockey is short form video approach curriculum that the players consume on their own time. They do the assignments and their and their uh their homework on their own time, and then we come together for a group call where the players engage uh with me and each other about what they're learning, how they're applying it, and what they're using. So there is very little lecturing time involved. This is all about application, it's all about using information and then applying the information and executing the information so they actually become better players. And the results speak for themselves. Uh it it's it's been so fun to help the growth of uh of the individual players and also as the teams. So if you are in a decision-making process and if you want something that's been proven, that is effective, that not only checks the box of yes, we are doing something for these players when it comes to mindset, but it actually makes a difference for the players that it's more than just a checkbox. It is something that builds culture, it builds leadership, it builds community, and it builds performance. Uh, then come over this way. Up my hockey will take care of you. Uh, that is the overall business plan, too, of Up My Hockey, just to be frank, is like we need to service teams, uh, we need to service associations so we can grow good human beings within the jurisdictions where they are. So when a player walks into your spot as a U13 or U11 competitive player, they will continue to graduate with Up My Hockey curriculum as long as they stick with the program. Uh it takes a lot off the plate from the coaches, it takes a lot off the plate from the administrators. Uh, you'd be surprised how much fewer problems there are in general when it comes to a team format because players are more easy or more readily available to deal with adversity and look at it as an opportunity uh that some of the uh you know the headaches and things go away as well. So it really does conquer uh solve a lot of a lot of problems, uh provides a lot of solutions. So again, we are open. We love to have conversations. If you are curious at all, uh look us up, jason at upmyhockey.com or send in a contact form on the website. Uh we're already a quarter of the way, halfway through this year. Uh sometimes these decisions get made a year in advance. So if you want to start the conversation now, uh bring it on. We're willing to have it. Now let's get back to the conversation. Is there anything else in your replicator? Because that's one thing that players do ask me, like, okay, I need to work on skating. But I think a lot of players connect skating to like being on the ice with a skating coach or being on the ice and doing power skating. Uh, I I'd like to blow that up a little bit. And I've tried with the players that I work with that there's a lot of ways to get better, you know, with your stride and with and with your speed and acceleration, all these things without being on the ice. Is there anything else that you do on a personal level to try and work on that? Um, to work on your skating?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, like you said, there's obviously skating coaches and all that, but for me, the hell sprints, like I said earlier, were a big thing for me, creating pop, creating quicker acceleration, yeah, acceleration the first three steps and the weight room was another big key aspect this summer, getting stronger in my legs, and you know, turning into uh to a man and more power. And you know, like rollerblading's fun. And uh it might not be the same, but going out to the roller park once a week, never hurt anybody, and it's uh it's a fun way to play the game, and I honestly do think it it improves as well.
SPEAKER_00:Awesome. So switching gears a little bit just to the WHL. Uh now that you've been in both leagues, um is there is there anything that sticks out to you as being as being different?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's it's so hard to compare, right? They're both uh tremendous leagues, the WHL and the USHL. You know, the the USHL is fast, it's physical, heavy, and the WHL, there's some really good players, right? They're you know, you're playing against TG Gimla one night and then Berkeley Catton the next night, and the top guys are you know about to play in the NHL, and so they're both unique in their own way. They're they're fast and it's uh it's fun to play.
SPEAKER_00:And is there any you mentioned fast and heavy of the of the of the U show? Like and again, I and I haven't seen many games, or else I probably wouldn't be asking this question. Uh but I have seen a few WHL games, uh, and well, I don't want to be a dinosaur, but it seems like it's not as fast as or as heavy as it used to be, right? Like there's there's a little less after the whistle, there's not as many fights. Like the Western League was definitely known for that, you know, in the past. It seems like that shifted gears a little bit. Is there can you compare those aspects of the of the of the leagues? Is one a little more physical than another?
SPEAKER_01:I think they're both pretty equal. You know, they're uh they're both heavy. You know, there's with today's game, you know, it's it's changing every day, and you know, the the whistle stuff happens every now and again, and you know, there's already been one fight this year that was pretty fun to watch, but uh but yeah, no, I mean they're um you know, you know, there's still some big guys out there and they're they're trying to prove a point, they're trying to earn a spot in the next level, and you know, they hit hard, they hit often, and it's uh they they try and make it hard on you.
SPEAKER_00:Is that on your uh things to do list is into your first uh into your first scrap while you're while you're out west here?
SPEAKER_01:Uh I don't know. You know, I uh maybe I'll save that for someone else. I I like watching them, you know. I don't I don't really like being in them.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, that's awesome. Great answer. Uh so if you were if you were to compare, well, another thing I I talk about with players is like understanding or trying to understand who you are, right? Like where you provide value, what you do well, not only for your team, but just you as an individual. Uh what do you think uh about JP Hurlbert as a hockey player? Like what makes you different and what makes you valuable?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think my mindset's a big thing, and you know, I like to like to score goals, and I think you know, for my game, it's it's a lot of offense. It's shooting the puck, it's making plays and creating time and space. And you know, I feel my role in the team is to to put the puck in the net and you know, you gotta score more than the other team to win games, and that's kind of kind of how I look at it. But it's just uh you know, playing hard, hard to play against, playing smart. And I think the biggest thing is working hard. You know, you can never you know you don't want to get outworked, and you know it's it's you know, it's talents a lot, but it's it's not work ethic. If you can't do that, then you you're not gonna not gonna help much.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, no, I hear you. And so that is your mindset. Like for me, I I definitely identified as a goal scorer more than a passer. Uh I don't know why. Maybe because I was better at it, but I mean I I was the guy that wanted to shoot the puck in the net. You know, I was the guy that was trying to find open ice and and allow somebody that you know would create that space uh to find me. Is is are you a shirt shoot first kind of guy? I mean, see that your numbers are pretty equal, you I mean, as far as goals and assists, uh, but but do you you identify more as a goal scorer?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I'd say I love scoring goals, so probably probably a goal score, but you know, assist is just as much as a point and just playing the right way. But you know, I I think scoring a goal is the best feeling in hockey. And you know, if I could do that every night, I I sure hope I could, but uh kind of far stretch.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I love it. Well, you're doing your geez, you're close. Uh looking at it right now, it's 11 and 17 and uh 14 games. So awesome start, man. Congratulations on that. And obviously, you know, you've already talked about the uh team aspect of hockey, which is what makes it special. Uh, you must be clicking with a few players here. Have you found a home on a line yet? Have you been moved around a little bit or where where have you found the chemistry so far?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, you know, it's it's so early to you know find one line. We've been moving pretty good, but you know, just the team's been great. You know, we have so many, so many players, you know, the rule of change from BCHL guys, NHL drafted guys, and guys that are going to NCAA. It's just uh it's a full-on team, and guys are making plays and uh helping me out, and you know, hopefully the wins come along and uh you know we're uh making a push for playoffs sooner.
SPEAKER_00:Well that's awesome. So we haven't uh LaFrenier or or uh Bem or like Keller, I think that you played with a little bit. I know there's obviously a lot of other names there, but and I haven't been watching the lineup card very much, but it has been pretty much a rotating, uh rotating uh revolving door there on with the line combinations.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. It's uh you know, it's early on, it hasn't been set too much, but like you said, I mean Lafrenier, Edmonton pick, he's uh unbelievable player, smart, great shot, you know, great skater, bame, hands unbelievable, and he's a creative guy, can put the puck in the net. And you know, Keller's uh Keller's an animal and he he likes to score goals. So that's one thing I've learned since being here. And no, they're all great players to play with. And you know, every night's uh you know, really great time getting to play with those guys, and you know, we uh we look forward to it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, cool. Yeah, and you got a really you it looks like you got a strong group this year. You definitely got uh got a deep forward unit that uh that can score. And for a guy who likes to score goals, that's obviously a nice environment to be in. Anyone caught your eye yet this year in the WHL that you know maybe you heard the name before, or maybe you didn't know the name and and uh just someone that that's impressed you from uh being on the other side of the puck?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. There's so you know, it's such a great league. There's so many guys, it's hard to pick out one guy. I'm still trying to learn some names, you know. It's uh being the American kid from Texas, you know, you don't know some of these northern Alberta guys, but you know, obviously you know the guys in your draft year, Preston and Spokane and you know Daxon, Rudolph, and Prince Albert. They're all we're all great players and they're fun to watch and learn from them on the bench and you know, playing against them. And you know, it's uh it's a great league, and there's so many players it's hard to name everybody, but you know, those are the two that stick out to mind.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, no, no problem. Uh is your phone ringing a little bit uh as far as guys in in the United States still wondering how it's going, like what your experience like, maybe thinking of uh trying out the waters.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, you know, a lot of guys from Dallas reaching out and you know, I'll keep trying to keep in touch with as many people as I can and you know, got buddies in the queue and you know, still have so many friends at the program that that I reach out to all the time and we we laugh and you know it's great to catch up, but you know, I think it's uh it's so new with this whole root rule change and you know everybody's excited to see what happens, but it's uh you know, I think CamLups is great. The WHL is great, and it's uh you know, I recommend it for a lot of people.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, that's great. Is there a tentative plan for next year? Is it to go to University of Michigan? Was this a one-year kind of uh one-year experience in your mind coming up?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, we'll see. You know, there's so much time left with you know the season, the draft, and so much can change, but you know, kind of grew up a diehard Michigan fan and dad went to Michigan for for school, so that'd be uh really cool to play there and you know hopefully it works out. But you know, there's uh no set timeline and just excited to be here right now.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I believe it. When it comes to the NHL and who calls your name, uh I I know the real answer is whoever's gonna call it first, you know, like that that's where I want to go. Uh but with your roots there in Detroit, Dallas, is there a team if you if you could pick a team that you would just love nothing better than to put that jersey on? Do you have one?
SPEAKER_01:Oh, such a hard question. You put me on the spot here. But no, I think you know, being growing up in Dallas, being a Dallas kid, so obviously going to their games. I think that'd be pretty cool. But like you said, you know, the dream's just to put on a sweater, doesn't matter who, and you know, it'd just be an honor to get picked in the NHL and hopefully playing it one day. Yeah, that's wild.
SPEAKER_00:Did you follow Logan Stankoven at all?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. I actually uh so I drove up from Dallas, and oh that's a whole nother story.
SPEAKER_00:But uh let's get into it. What happened?
SPEAKER_01:Oh just there three days, one border closed, another hour it was uh yeah, throwing Cam loops at about midnight. But um no, my first my first skate in Cam Loops, I uh Logan Stan Culvin was out there and you know he came up to me and I'm a huge Stane Culvin fan. Watching him in the playoffs was really fun. The trade broke my heart, but um for him to come up and introduce himself and you know we talked about Cam Loops in Dallas, it was um really cool and just a moment that you know I'll remember forever.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, yeah, and hopefully one that you use too, right? Like I love when when guys have those touch points because even right now, right, there's people looking up to you and you know, younger, maybe younger players, and and uh it's awesome when you feel that impact, right? Of someone taking the time to introduce themselves and uh go out of their way to kind of make you feel comfortable. It uh hopefully you can pay that forward in the future. And I've heard nothing but great things about Logan and obviously the connection there with him being a Blazer and drafted to Dallas and doing such great things, and now obviously moved on to Carolina. I was wondering how much you how much you followed him or not, but boy, he's had a great success story so far.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, he's uh great person, great player, you know, so fun to watch. And you know, I was looking at his highlights back in Camloops the other day, and you know, he brought he brings so much this city, and you know, there's a lot of Stancoven jerseys at our games, so kind of get a laugh about it, but no, he he's great, rightfully so, right?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, he his motor really impresses me the most. I mean, he obviously has NHL qualities, elite NHL quality in other areas too, but his engine was always just going, right? He was kind of a guy that would never be seemed like he would never be denied, almost played with the chip on his shoulder every game, and uh, and I think that's something to your point you talked about earlier, as far as work ethic, like that's something that's in your control, right? Like the motor aspect is is is on the individual, and and uh and I and I love players like him that get rewarded for that because it's a great example for the other younger players out there. When it comes to work ethic, JP, like how do you feel that anything in your upbringing, maybe with your parents or like how did work ethic get ingrained into you that this is an important thing that I need to embrace?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I think my dad was a huge, huge uh aspect in that. And you know, we we learned the game together, you know, we started our first skate was him and I both falling all over the place. And so growing up, you know, he pushed me every single day and kind of installed that into me. And it's countless hours of shooting pox and do going to the rink when you don't want to. That you know, it kind of just becomes a habit and it's a built-in love. And you know, just I think for me it's the inner burn to be the best and try and you know, you know, be an impact player every single game.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, good for you. Yeah, and it translates outside of the rink too, right? I mean, you kind of have to have that same fire in the gym, like you said. You have to have that same fire in other aspects, and again, to be truly elite, right? Like to be the best JP Herlbert you can be. If that's not there, you're never gonna know what that is, right? And uh, and in the pursuit of of your own personal greatness, all this other stuff will come, right? Like uh I talk with players all the time. I mean, if if you don't ever get to be your best, you'll never really know what that best is. You mean on the on the world stage, right? So you're kind of always in a competition with you uh to see if you can raise those standards, you know, whether they be from a competitive aspect or whether they be from a work ethic standpoint. And uh, and and when you continue to raise those standards, that's where the fun comes, I think. And then when you get addicted to the process, the 1%, as you as you said, that's when it that's when really good things happen. Um well, I I couldn't I couldn't be happier for your for your year, man. I I uh obviously have a little bit of an eye on the team, an extra eye just because of my own uh personal involvement with the sun and seeing how you guys are doing and how the other 09s there are doing. So I'm uh really really happy for you. I'm happy that we've welcomed you. It sounds like Canada's treating you pretty well so far. Uh and I just want to applaud you on making a brave, brave, bold move, man. Like, you know, it's not it's not every day that that kids are gonna make that choice, and I'd love to see you get rewarded for all your effort.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, thank you. No, it's uh you know, Cannabis is great, and you know, thank you for having me. It's uh it's a really cool experience, and you know, hopefully they uh take something away and it's uh you know, hockey's fun, right?
SPEAKER_00:So you betcha. Yeah, and it's also fun when you happen to be uh, you know, leading the league, uh doing things like that, it becomes even more fun. So that's really cool, man. Yeah, keep up the good work, and uh we'll be following you the rest of the way.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you so much for listening to the episode with JP Herlbert. JP, if you are still around listening, thank you. Uh, you're a rock star. Uh things you're doing on the ice are incredible, and uh the way you're handling off uh yourself off the ice is is just as admirable. Uh great example to young hockey players out there about how to be. Uh and that's be my takeaway for everyone listening here is that it is my goal that hockey players are some of the best people uh on the planet. And if you have the right mentorship, if you have the right coach, the game can teach you some amazing things. And if we learn the game from that perspective of how I can be a better person, how I can be a better teammate, what about myself? Where are there flaws in myself that are holding myself back in development? Where are my flaws in performance? Where are my flaws as a teammate? And if we can continue to raise our standards around those things, all of the uh proclaimed hockey skills will rise with you. Uh and JP seems like he's got it going on both ends. He's a hell of a hockey player, he seems like he's a hell of a human, and by everyone that seems to have touch points with him in Cam loops, he's uh he's really living up on both ends of the bargain. So yeah, take an inventory if you're a hockey player out there, you know, and if you do want to be great, and if you do want to chase great things, and if you haven't taken the proverbial look in the mirror and saying, hey, how can I improve as a human? And in those areas, if I do improve them, how might be the byproduct of me actually being a better hockey player? And you'd be surprised that when you start putting those dots together, uh that the recipe card becomes really, really strong. Uh you start working on yourself in a multitude of ways. And um, and as JP talked about with the with the mindset of getting better, uh, if you are in the 1% a day category and you aren't looking at yourself as a person, you are missing a very, very big piece of that pie to help you become better. So uh thanks again, JP, for the great example. Nothing but the best there to the Camlas Blazers and and uh and JP and his teammates. And until next time, play hard and keep your head up.