The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Hayden Paupanekis, who plays for the Kelowna Rockets.

If an organization wants to add a physical center to their prospect pool, then Paupanekis might be their guy. Listed at 6'5", 203 lbs, the 18-year-old had a strong campaign, recording 43 points in 71 games. Paupanekis also surpassed the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career, as he split the season between Kelowna and the Spokane Chiefs.

Paupanekis' game revolves around his size and ability to play a physical game. While he doesn't throw massive open-ice hits, he can separate the opposition from the puck, and can use his large frame to win battles along the boards. Paupanekis is also a pain to deal with in front of the net, as he can often win positional battles in the crease.

As for the defensive side of the game, this is where Paupanekis thrives. He excels at creating turnovers thanks to his active stick and smart positioning. Paupanekis is also good at getting the puck out of the zone, as he often elects to hit teammates with accurate passes in order to start the transition game. 

The next step in Paupanekis' development will be adding more offense to his game. He showed that he can be both a playmaker and finisher this season, but needs to round out both his passing skills and shot. If he can improve his offensive output while becoming a play driver in the transition game, it will go a long way in helping him make the jump to the pro game. 

Paupanekis is an intriguing prospect who should hear his name called in the third-round this season. He has great size, is defensively responsible and plays center, which is a position of need for many organizations. If developed correctly, Paupanekis could be one of the steals of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

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