NHL Central Scouting has released their mid-season rankings and five Kelowna Rockets made the cut.
The list ranks the best 224 North American and International hockey players who are draft-eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Out of the five Rockets on the list, four of them have been acquired in trades over the last couple of months.
Here is how the Rockets shape up on the list:
- Hayden Paupanekis (forward) - #48;
- Will Sharpe (defence) - #65;
- Dawson Gerwing (forward) - #135;
- Nate Corbet (defence) - #223.
Paupanekis was acquired by the Rockets on Wednesday, Jan. 8 from the Spokane Chiefs. In 41 games this season between the two teams, he's scored 11 goals and added 15 assists.
Sharpe, the pride of Ladner, B.C., became a Rocket on Monday, Jan. 6 in a trade that sent Caden Price to Lethbridge. He's nearly a one per game defenceman this season as he has 31 points (four goals, 27 assists) in 38 games this year.
Acquired in a trade with Swift Current, Gerwing potted a goal and added an assist in his Kelowna debut on Jan. 10. In 29 games this campaign, he has 12 points.
The Rockets acquired Corbet from the Medicine Hat Tigers back on Nov. 14, 2024. The 6'2" defenceman has four goals and eight assists this season.
On Central Scouting North American goaltender list, Rockets goaltender Jake Pilon ranks 23rd out of 32. In 19 games, Pilon is 8-6-1-0 with a .890 save percentage and a 3.58 goals against average.
No West Kelowna Warriors made the mid-term list.
The Rockets are back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 15 when they welcome Andrew Cristall in his return to Kelowna and the Spokane Chiefs to Prospera Place. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
