Photo credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Regan Bartel

Rockets count on rising star

Hayden Paupanekis poised for big year

Sep 12, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Hayden Paupanekis will never forget the moment the Montreal Canadiens selected him in the third round, 69th overall, at this summer’s NHL Draft.

“I was kind of just shocked when it happened,” Paupanekis told RocketFAN. “I was just waiting there with all my family and friends, cousins, aunts, grandpa, and when I heard my name, my heart dropped. It’s a dream come true and a moment I’ll never forget.”

The towering 6’5” forward, acquired by Kelowna last season in the Andrew Cristall trade, has quickly become one of the WHL’s most exciting prospects. Originally picked in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Paupanekis built momentum with 22 goals and 43 points in 71 games last year. Eleven of those goals came after joining Kelowna, where he finished third in team scoring behind Jakub Stancl and Will Sharpe. Over the summer, he added an inch in height and 10 pounds of muscle, now standing at 205 pounds and ready for a bigger role.

After draft day, Paupanekis got a first taste of life in Montreal.

“I actually went there right after the draft, explored a bit of the city, met some people there. Everything seems super nice, so I’m really excited for the future. Everybody was speaking French — I was a little confused — but I think I’ll learn it pretty quick.”

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He’s also leaned on former Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges for guidance.

“I talked to him a little bit… he’s going to be a really big role model for me, telling me all these little tips and tricks that Montreal is looking for. He’s going to be great to help me out there.”

That support only fuels Paupanekis’ confidence (he won’t participate in rookie camp after getting mono) heading into training camp.

“I’m pretty confident in myself, not really nervous. I know what I’ve got to do. I know what kind of game I got to bring to the table, and I know what they expect out of me. I’m just gonna go there, play my game, and hopefully good things will happen.”

Closer to home, the Winnipeg native is energized by what lies ahead with the Rockets, especially with the Memorial Cup on the horizon. “The jumbotron’s unreal. We have great new coaches, and we acquired a bunch of new players, which is great for us. The guys are already comfortable with each other. We’re brothers, and we got really close really quick. They’re great additions to our team.”

Confidence, he said, comes from comfort. “Just being more comfortable with the team and the group of people I’m around… the guys and the coaches, I’m super comfortable around them, so that probably helps with my confidence.”

As one of nine Rockets attending an NHL training camp this weekend, Paupanekis says last season is already in the rearview. “For the most part I think we should erase last season. It’s in the past now, but there are definitely things we can look back on and try to work on. It’s a fresh start and a fresh team.”

From Spokane to Kelowna to Montreal, Paupanekis’ growth has been steady and sure. And with his best hockey still ahead, the Rockets — and the Canadiens — know they’ve only seen the beginning.