Winnipegger to meet his heroes after being drafted by Penguins

Peyton Kettles remembers the Evgeni Malkin jersey he rocked as a youngster.

So you can imagine his delight when the Winnipegger pulled on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey on Saturday after being chosen in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft with the 39th overall pick.

“It was definitely a huge relief and I’m definitely happy to hear my name called by the Penguins. To have their history, with me growing up around that time, is really cool and really special,” Kettles said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he attended the event at Peacock Theater with his parents and his brother. “I owned a Malkin jersey and all of the stuff like that. It’s a full circle moment for me.”

Kettles, listed at 6-5 and 194 pounds, is a hard-hitting defenceman who had five goals and 14 points in 53 games in the Western Hockey League with the Swift Current Broncos.

“I’m a big defensive guy who likes to play physical,” said Kettles. “I’m a really good skater. A guy that is not afraid or is going to back down from anyone.

“I thought I had a pretty good season. I was out with some injuries, but that happens. Overall, I thought I had a really good season and I proved myself to Pittsburgh and a lot of other teams. I’m really happy to be part of their organization.”

Kettles spoke with 21 different teams at the NHL Combine in Buffalo earlier this month and he’s looking forward to heading to development camp in Pittsburgh during the coming days.

“I thought I had a really good interview with everyone, but my interview with Pittsburgh was really good. I thought they really liked me. It’s cool to see them trade up and pick me,” said Kettles, noting he enjoyed watching the Penguins win multiple Stanley Cups while he was growing up. “I’ve dreamed of this moment my whole life, so it’s cool to see it come true. For me to meet my heroes and my idols is going to be really cool in this next week or two.”

Kettles was in attendance on Friday night, since some mock drafts had him going late in the first round.

That was a stressful situation to navigate, but Kettles made the most of it and didn’t need to wait long on Day 2.

“I went (Friday) night and saw a lot of buddies go,” said Kettles. “To hear my name called this morning was a big relief and I’m excited to get going.”

It was a solid day for the Keystone province as seven Manitobans had their names called on Friday and Saturday.

The seven selections is one short of the record, set three times (2017, 2018, 2022).

That it comes one year after Brandon product Clarke Caswell was the only local kid drafted (in the fifth round, by the Seattle Kraken) represents a strong rebound for Manitoba.

Carter Bear of West St. Paul went 13th overall to the Detroit Red Wings and the high-scoring winger from the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League was the only Manitoban to go in the first round.

Later in the second round, Winnipegger Matthew Gard of the Red Deer Rebels went 57th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The left-handed shooting centre had 19 goals, 36 points in 66 WHL games this season.

Gard also suited up for Canada at the U18 championship in Texas this year, collecting a goal and four points in seven games, capturing a gold medal.

“It was a bit of a nervous morning for myself and it was really cool to soak that moment in with everybody around me,” said Gard, who was surrounded by family members in Winnipeg rather than attending the event. “It’s a lifetime dream come true, really. It’s been a process and a grind my whole life to get there and was really rewarding to hear my name called.”

Gard met with 25 teams at the NHL combine in Buffalo.

“It takes a couple of interviews to get going and get used to it a little bit. It’s a new experience for everyone that’s there but I had fun with it,” said Gard, who then provided a scouting report on himself. “I’m a big, physical, two-way centreman and I score a lot of goals close to the net. I really excel in the defensive zone, that’s a big part of my game. I’m just trying to get faster and stronger.”

In the third round, Winnipegger Hayden Paupanekis was chosen 69th overall by the Monteal Canadiens.

Paupanekis was surrounded by numerous family members at his parent’s house in Winnipeg.

“They came over around 10 o’clock and we were waiting for my name to be popped up,” said Paupanekis, who split last season between the Kelowna Rockets and Chiefs of the WHL, collecting 22 goals and 43 points in 71 games. “Being close to my family was the biggest thing for me. They’ve been through the dream with me and they helped me every step of the way, so I wanted to share the moment with them. When it happened, I was in the kitchen grabbing some food and I heard everybody scream with excitement.

“I know a lot of guys say they’re speechless (when you get picked), but it’s true. You don’t know what to say, but I’m trying to soak it all in. It’s a long journey ahead for me.”

A right-handed shooting centre who is listed at 6-5 and 203 pounds, Paupanekis will have an opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup in 2026 as the Rockets are the host team.

“I’m a two-way power forward who plays heavy, but I can also play a skilled game,” said Paupanekis. “I play in all places of the ice and I kind of do everything.”

The Winnipeg Jets used the 92nd overall pick on Oakbank product Owen Martin, who had a strong season with the Spokane Chiefs.

Martin dealt with a foot injury that limited him to 39 games, but he produced at nearly a point-per-game rate (13 goals, 34 points) before adding 12 points in 20 playoff games during a run to the WHL final.

The sixth Manitoba chosen came in the sixth round when goalie Burke Hood went 170th overall to the New York Islanders.

Hood, who hails from Brandon, is coming off a solid season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants, posting three shutouts, a .910 save percentage and 3.10 goals-against average in 42 appearances.

The final Manitoban chosen on Day 2 was McCreary product Brady Turko, a right-winger with the Brandon Wheat Kings who had seven goals and 26 points in 68 games this season.

Two of Turko’s teammates and fellow forwards Roger McQueen and Carter Klippenstein were also selected — McQueen 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks and Klippenstein 123rd overall by the Minnesota Wild.

Seeing so many Manitobans chosen – including five from the Rink Hockey Acedemy program – brought a smile to Paupanekis’ face.

“I’ve played with all of those guys growing up,” he said. “I was cheering for them with my family too. I’m just excited for everybody. We’re showing everybody that Manitoba is a good hockey spot.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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