Parekh led CHL defencemen with 33 targets, whereas including 63 assists in 66 video games final season, and received the Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit
Zayne Parekh put up large numbers within the OHL final yr.
And the Calgary Flames are betting massive that may translate to the NHL.
The Flames chosen the 6-foot defenceman with their ninth general decide at Friday night time’s NHL Draft, including a major quantity of firepower to the way forward for their blue-line.
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Loads of the dialog surrounding the Flames had centred round Tij Iginla heading into the draft, however Jarome’s son was chosen three picks earlier than they took to the rostrum when the Utah Hockey Membership introduced his identify.
In Parekh, although, the Flames acquired a rearguard who led all CHL defencemen with 33 targets in 2023-24 and received the Memorial Cup with the Saginaw Spirit.
Right here’s a couple of issues to know in regards to the latest Flames prospect:
Learn any scouting report on Parekh — who’s from Nobleton, Ont. — they usually’ll inform you an identical factor: He sees the ice brilliantly and retains his composure within the defensive finish whereas evading opponents within the offensive zone and creating offence.
That second half goes to be what generates headlines.
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Parekh scored 33 targets and added 63 assists in 66 video games for the Spirit after which recorded two targets and 9 assists in 11 playoff video games.
He’s a possible power-play quarterback and has a dynamic skill-set that few younger defencemen on this yr’s draft come near matching.
That is essential, as a result of once more, a lot of the discuss goes to be about his offensive numbers however scouts had a whole lot of good issues to say about his play on the opposite finish of the ice, too.
FC Hockey’s 2024 Draft Information referred to Parekh as being “high-risk, high-reward” however emphasised that he stays energetic in his personal zone and makes use of his stick work and skating to disrupt opponents.
Parekh is simply 18, so he’s acquired a lot of time to work on his sport within the defensive finish, however even now, it’s not prefer it’s getting used as a knock in opposition to him.
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With the trades they’ve made during the last 12 months after which drafting Parekh on Friday, the Flames have significantly bolstered their core of younger defencemen.
The likes of Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo came to visit within the deal that despatched Jacob Markstrom to the Vancouver Canucks, whereas they added Artem Grushnikov within the deal that despatched Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars after which acquired Kevin Bahl, who is simply 24-years-old, from the New Jersey Devils in trade for Jacob Markstrom final week.
Parekh could have essentially the most upside of any of them and will very properly be their No. 1 man in a couple of years time, however no matter what else they do on the draft on Friday and Saturday, they’re so much additional forward by way of including younger d-men than they have been a yr in the past.
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