If you follow NHL draft coverage, you’ve probably noticed Hayden Paupanekis climbing prospect boards over the past two seasons. Standing six-foot-five and built like a power forward but skating like someone half his size, Hayden Paupanekis has become one of the more intriguing young centres in the Montreal Canadiens system. His story blends size, skill, and a strong connection to his Indigenous roots that’s earned him attention well beyond the hockey rink.
This article breaks down his background, his draft journey, his statistics, and the questions fans keep asking about him.
Who Is Hayden Paupanekis?
Hayden Paupanekis was born on February 4, 2007, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He grew up in the city’s competitive minor hockey system, playing centre almost from the moment he started skating at age five. Hayden Paupanekis stands 6-foot-5 and weighs roughly 202 to 203 pounds, a frame that immediately sets him apart from most forwards his age.
He plays right-shot centre, though he’s shown enough versatility to line up on the wing when needed. Scouts have consistently praised how fluid he looks on his skates given his size, something that isn’t always common among taller forwards.
Hayden Paupanekis Parents and Family Background
One of the most searched details about him involves his family. Hayden Paupanekis parents encouraged him to try hockey at age five, and that early nudge turned into a lifelong passion. His father is Indigenous, and the family has roots in Norway House Cree Nation, a community in northern Manitoba that has followed his hockey career closely.
Hayden Paupanekis has spoken openly about how much his parents supported him through the ups and downs of junior hockey, including the difficult transition of moving away from home at just 16 years old to play major junior. That kind of family backing, he’s said, kept him grounded as he adjusted to life away from Winnipeg.
His connection to Norway House Cree Nation runs deep. Members of the community have supported his fundraising efforts for tournaments over the years, attended his games when possible, and treated his rise through the hockey ranks as a shared point of pride. Along with fellow 2025 draftee Kashawn Bear, Hayden Paupanekis is one of a small handful of First Nations players selected in recent NHL drafts from Manitoba, following in the footsteps of Reggie Leach and Zach Whitecloud.
Where Did He Learn to Play?
Hayden Paupanekis spent his entire minor hockey career in Winnipeg before moving into the Western Hockey League. He gravitated toward the centre position early on and never really looked back, developing into one of Manitoba’s top prospects by his mid-teens.
Junior Career: Spokane to Kelowna
Hayden Paupanekis began his major junior career with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, posting a 20-point rookie season that caught the attention of scouts. He opened his second WHL campaign strong, tallying 24 points through 39 games with Spokane before a midseason trade changed his path.
In January 2025, the Kelowna Rockets acquired Hayden Paupanekis as part of a blockbuster deal that sent Andrew Cristall to Spokane, along with five bantam prospect picks including two first-round selections. The move added size and scoring depth to a young Kelowna roster that was building toward hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup.
While his offensive production dipped slightly after the trade, playing for a younger, rebuilding Kelowna squad, his all-around game continued developing. Scouts noted that his 200-foot play, physicality, and playmaking ability stayed consistent regardless of the roster around him.
Hayden Paupanekis NHL Draft Journey
The Hayden Paupanekis NHL Draft story is one of the more notable storylines from the 2025 draft class. Heading into the event, he appeared on nearly every major draft ranking list, including a spot at #38 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s rankings.
On draft day in Los Angeles, the Montreal Canadiens made a notable move to acquire him. Montreal traded up in the third round, giving up picks 79 and 108 to move into the 69th overall selection, where they picked Hayden Paupanekis. That kind of trade-up signals real organizational belief in a prospect, especially for a team targeting size at forward.
Here’s a quick snapshot of his draft profile:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Draft Year | 2025 NHL Entry Draft |
| Drafted By | Montreal Canadiens |
| Round/Pick | 3rd round, 69th overall |
| Draft Location | Los Angeles |
| Junior Team at Draft | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) |
Scouts from multiple outlets weighed in on his game. Elite Prospects rated him as the highest-graded service pre-draft, describing him as a defensively responsible centre with real pro traits and physicality. Other scouts noted his underrated playmaking, his ability to protect the puck with his wide stance, and a shot that projects well at higher levels.
Hayden Paupanekis Stats and Playing Style
Looking at Hayden Paupanekis stats across his WHL career gives a clearer picture of his development curve. His rookie season with Spokane produced 20 points, and he built on that with 24 points in 39 games before his trade to Kelowna in this second full WHL season.
Beyond the raw numbers, his playing style is what really stands out to scouts:
- Skating – Fluid crossovers, heel-to-heel movement, and tight turns that belie his size
- Physicality – Wins board battles and protects pucks using his frame and reach
- Two-way game – Strong on the backcheck, ties up sticks proactively, and defends well for a big centre
- Shot and passing – A heavy one-timer combined with underrated passing, including tough backhand plays
Some scouts have projected him as a likely bottom-six NHL forward early in his career, with real upside if his offensive game continues to round out. Others see a genuine power forward who can move up a lineup as he matures physically and tactically.
Why Hayden Paupanekis Matters Beyond the Ice
Hayden Paupanekis has become something of a role model within Indigenous hockey communities, and he’s talked openly about wanting to inspire Indigenous youth watching his career unfold. He’s also pushed back against assumptions that come with his size, noting that people often expect a player his height to be purely physical.
“Everybody thinks I’m just a big guy,” he’s explained, pointing out that his game includes real skill alongside the physical tools. That combination is exactly why Montreal moved up to draft him in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NHL team drafted Hayden Paupanekis? The Montreal Canadiens selected him 69th overall in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, trading up to get the pick.
Where is Hayden Paupanekis from? He was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with family roots in Norway House Cree Nation.
How tall is Hayden Paupanekis? He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs around 202 to 203 pounds, making him one of the bigger centres in his draft class.
What junior teams did he play for? He played for the Spokane Chiefs before being traded to the Kelowna Rockets during the 2024-25 WHL season.
Final Thoughts
Hayden Paupanekis represents exactly the kind of prospect NHL teams covet: size, skating ability, and a two-way game that projects well at the professional level. From his early days learning to skate in Winnipeg to becoming a third-round pick Montreal traded up to select, his path reflects steady development backed by strong family and community support from Norway House Cree Nation.
As he continues his development, likely through more WHL seasons or a move to the AHL, Hayden Paupanekis stats and progress will be worth tracking closely for Canadiens fans and prospect watchers alike. Keep an eye on his next few seasons, a player with his combination of size and skill rarely stays under the radar for long.
