Hayden Paupanekis

A defensively sound centre with details, pace, and physicality, Paupanekis often negates the opposition’s best players. He ties up sticks proactively, kills plays on the backcheck, and excels at supporting and winning battles down low. He’s a fluid skater with a lot of flexibility, capable of chaining crossovers, heel-to-heel skating, and tight turns. His hands blend seamlessly with the skating, evident in his ability to evade poke checks and make plays at full speed. He connects difficult passes off the backhand, fires in-stride, and has a blistering one-timer, too. -EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide