
Draft day hopeful’s deliver despite difficult season
While the 2024-25 season on the ice was a challenging one for the Kelowna Rockets, with just 18 wins and only three coming after January 10th, there were bright spots – especially for three players eyeing the 2025 NHL Draft. Forwards Hayden Paupanekis, Dawson Gerwing, and defenseman Will Sharpe all saw their draft stock climb, catching the eyes of NHL scouts despite the team’s struggles.
Let’s take a closer look at how this trio managed to stand out:
Hayden Paupanekis — Ranked 38th Among North American Skaters (NHL Central Scouting)
Acquired at the WHL trade deadline as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Andrew Cristall to Spokane, Hayden Paupanekis arrived in Kelowna with expectations – and delivered. The 18-year-old forward was one of three key pieces the Rockets received in the trade, alongside a pair of first-round picks (including one in 2027, which could prove especially valuable as Spokane begins a rebuild).
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