THUNDER BAY — At just 22, Alexis Paddington is turning heads in women’s hockey as a dynamic and promising prospect.
A local from Thunder Bay, Paddington currently plays NCAA Division I hockey at Minnesota State University, where she’s also completing a finance degree. Now, with graduation looming, her name appears on the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) draft list, marking a potential new chapter in her hockey journey.
“I never really thought that I'd have the opportunity to keep playing hockey after college,” said Paddington. “For me, it was kind of graduate college and be done. But I'm super excited. I'm amongst a lot of great, great players, so to be named on the list and be in the draft is super exciting.”
Before making her mark in the NCAA, Paddington’s hockey roots were planted deeply in her hometown. She got her start with the Neebing Flames and later captained the Thunder Bay Queens, an experience she credits as foundational to her development as both a player and a person.
“I was a part of the Thunder Bay Queens program and that program did so much for me,” she said. “Every coach I had helped me become a better player and all of my teammates, I have the best memories growing up playing with that team. I couldn't be more happy that I spent all my time there playing hockey.”
Growing up, her passion was literally built into her backyard. “My parents actually built a rink in our backyard,” she recalled.
Now a seasoned NCAA athlete, Paddington has evolved into a powerful forward. Her first year was a baptism by fire, but she embraced the challenge. “We were pretty low on numbers, so I got to play a lot of minutes my freshman year, which I was super grateful for. And that helped me a lot going into the next couple of years.”
As the PWHL draft approaches, Paddington is keeping her options open, including opportunities overseas. “I have talked to a few teams. I've also been talking to some teams abroad, Sweden or Switzerland, just as other plans depending on what happens with the draft,” she said. “I'm just trying to keep my options open and let what happens happen.”
Still, she has her eyes on a few dream destinations.
“I would pick probably Minnesota or Vancouver,” she said. “I have family in Vancouver and it's also kind of a new place. After being in Minnesota for a couple years, I wouldn’t mind moving and just having a new experience somewhere else.”
The 2025 PWHL Draft will take place on Tuesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. in Ottawa. Paddington said she will not be attending the draft in person but shared her plans for the night.
"I’ll be there virtually — I’ll probably just spend the night with some of my teammates and friends, hang out, and have a chill evening watching it," she said.
"A couple of my teammates are in the draft too, so I’ll be cheering them on as well."
