The Calgary Flames seem to have had a rather successful draft in 2024, given how those prospects are performing in their respective leagues this season. While a few players are making some noise, no one has had nearly the same impact or production levels as the Flames’ ninth overall selection last year, Zayne Parekh. For the first time since drafting Matthew Tkachuk in 2016, the Flames found themselves with a top-10 pick.

Parekh, although a defenceman, is known for his offensive capabilities from the back end. His exceptional skating, edge work, ability to distribute the puck up the ice, and find shooting lanes from the point, are all things that make him dangerous. Watching Parekh will remind you of players like Lane Hutson, Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, and Brandt Clarke. Parekh doesn’t wait for space to open up, instead, he uses his elite skating and edge work to create openings through various look-offs, fakes, and quick feet.

Parekh was ranked first in our top 20 prospects over the summer after an incredible year with the Saginaw Spirit and at first he will remain, as he stays on track to have an even better season this year.

Improvement has been the main theme for Parekh since being drafted 19th overall by the Spirit in the 2022 OHL draft. After posting 21 goals and 37 points through 50 games played in his first season in the OHL with the Spirit during the 2022-23 season, Parekh’s offensive production hadn’t taken off until last season.

The 2023-24 season is where Parekh’s game exploded and in perfect time too, raising his stock before the 2024 NHL draft. He collected 33 goals and 96 points through 66 games played, which are just ridiculous numbers for a defenceman to put up. His 33 goals were the most out of any player on the Spirit as well as his 96 points. The Spirit went on to become Memorial Cup Champions last season as well, with the help of Parekh and his 11 points through those 13 games.

Team records and achievements weren’t the only thing Parekh accomplished last season. He was named CHL Defenceman of the Year as well as OHL Most Outstanding Defenceman (Max Kaminsky Trophy). He also led the entire OHL in goals and points by a defenceman (fun fact: the player who came in second was another Flames prospect, Hunter Brzustewicz with 92 points) and was selected for the OHL First All-Star Team. Parekh’s 96 points last season have him in 12th place all-time for most points by an OHL defenceman in a single season.

It’s no wonder Parekh was drafted in the top 10 and could have even been taken higher than ninth overall.

Parekh’s insane season last year is hard to beat but he is on pace to do exactly that. Through 48 games played with the Spirit, Parekh has already potted 27 goals. He currently has 77 points and is on track to finish with two more goals and five more points than last season. Projections are always iffy and can change in a matter of periods but based on the last two seasons, one clear thing is that Parekh is well beyond ready to graduate from the OHL. He’s not just dominating the league in back-to-back seasons but he’s also breaking records.

The interesting part about Parekh’s year was that initially he wasn’t even invited to Team Canada’s World Junior team selection camp. The player who accomplished everything he did in the season before wasn’t even given a shot to make the team. Parekh ended up being invited to camp later on due to an injury but was ultimately cut. Parekh being left off the Canadian roster wasn’t the only head-scratching decision and ironically enough, the Canadian world junior team struggled tremendously, especially on the power play, a situation where Parekh is at his most dangerous.

Being cut from Team Canada struck a nerve for Parekh as was seen through some of his apparent re-posts on social media during Canada’s struggles at the tournament. The most important thing is that he used that as fuel and has been showing everyone, especially Team Canada what they missed out on every time he suits up for the Spirit. Parekh has the skill, the mindset, the work ethic, and a little bit of that cockiness that proves his passion for wanting to be the best is real and that’s something any NHL team would welcome with open arms.

The defensive pipeline looks phenomenal with Parekh leading the way. It’s safe to say the Flames have acquired a potentially franchise-altering player in Parekh and he’s doing nothing to dispel that narrative as he thrives in the OHL.