Cowan: Canadiens have big hopes for towering prospect Hayden Paupanekis

Ottawa Citizen

3 days ago

Article content
Paupanekis wasn't in Los Angeles for last weekend's draft, instead staying home to watch on TV with his family, including his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. The Canadiens moved up in the draft to select him, acquiring the 69th overall pick from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the 79th and 108th picks.
Article content
'It was kind of a weird moment,' Paupanekis said. 'It was a commercial break during the draft and then out of nowhere Montreal's picking and I was like, 'What the heck's going on?' And then I hear my name. Once I learned they traded up for me it meant a lot. They didn't think I was going to be there at 79.
Article content
The 6-foot-5, 203-pound Hayden Paupanekis with shootout goal at end of #Habs development camp scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/TxDxEERlGc
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 3, 2025
Article content
Article content
'I was glad that I stayed home with my family and took that moment in with them and celebrated with them,' he added. 'It was crazy. I didn't really expect anybody. I just wanted to know who it was going to be and then once I found out it was Montreal everybody was screaming. Just a lot of excitement. My mom was crying.'
Article content
There's a lot to like about Paupanekis, starting with his size and the fact he plays centre, a position where the Canadiens lack depth. The Canadiens are hoping Paupanekis can follow a similar trajectory to 6-foot-5, 212-pound right-winger Tyler Thorpe, who they selected in the fifth round (130th overall) of last year's NHL Draft.
Article content
After last year's development camp, Canadiens management told Thorpe they wanted him to return to the WHL's Vancouver Giants and show he could play a physical game. He responded by posting 27-25-52 totals with 69 penalty minutes in 68 games and was rewarded with an NHL entry-level contract. Thorpe played one game with the AHL's Laval Rocket at the end of last season and picked up two assists.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'He's got some work to do, but he's young,' Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player development, said about Paupanekis. 'He's in Kelowna, they're going to host the Memorial Cup (next season). I have not seen him until today and yesterday, for that matter. But, apparently, he's going to be their go-to guy. Once again, with so many of these guys it's maturity, physically growing into their bodies. But he's got a big frame, so it's just going to be a matter of time for him.
Article content
'It's going to be a big year for him,' Ramage added. 'With the Memorial Cup coming he's going to be one of the focus guys. So hopefully they build a good team around him.'
Article content
Living in Winnipeg, Paupanekis said he has learned a lot about protecting the puck, using his size and going to the net by watching the Jets' Adam Lowry — a 6-foot-5, 210-pound centre — in action. Paupanekis added that versatility is the strongest part of his game at this point with him able to play on the power play, the penalty kill and in the last two minutes of a game, whether his team is winning or losing.
Article content
'I have lots to grow still,' he said. 'I'm still young, I still want to gain weight, get stronger. I think once I do that I'll have a really good chance at making the NHL and staying in the NHL and that's the goal for me, obviously.
Article content
'You dream of that stuff,' he added about putting on a Canadiens sweater for the first time at development camp. 'At a young age I never really thought I'd be in this position. To finally see myself to be wearing the logo, it's an honour. I'm just super-excited for what the future holds for me.'