Some strong seasons for a pair of Calgary Flames 2024 first-round picks have ended with them both being named to the Canadian Hockey League’s year-end all-star teams.

On Friday, the CHL announced that blueliner Zayne Parekh was named to the First All-Star Team, while forward Matvei Gridin was named to the All-Rookie Team.

A product of Nobleton, Ontario who played with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, Parekh was the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He had a tremendous 2024-25 season, scoring 33 goals and posting 107 points. He was the first OHL blueliner to post back-to-back 30-goal seasons since the circuit became the OHL – Bobby Orr did it back when it was called the OHA – and he was the first OHL defender to hit 100 points in over a decade. He finished fifth in the OHL in points and led all blueliners in scoring. He capped off his season by making his NHL debut with the Flames and scoring his first NHL goal. He was named to the OHL’s First All-Star Team.

Originally from Kurgan, Russia, Gridin played his draft year with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and was the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He moved onto the QMJHL for his post-draft season, suiting up with the Shawinigan Cataractes. He had 38 goals and 79 points with the Cataractes. He was 12th in the QMJHL in points and led all rookies in scoring. He was named the QMJHL’s top rookie and top offensive rookie, and was named to the QMJHL’s All-Rookie Team.

Both Parekh and Gridin are 19-year-old players who have signed entry-level deals with the Flames. Because Parekh was drafted out of the CHL, his options for 2025-26 are playing in the NHL with the Flames or in the OHL with the Spirit. With very little left to prove in the OHL, we suspect he’ll be given a lot of runway at Flames training camp to prove he has what it takes to start the season in the NHL. Meanwhile, Gridin wasn’t selected out of the CHL so he’s able to play in the NHL, AHL or QMJHL next season.

We’ll see where each youngster ends up to start the 2025-26 season, but they’ve both impressed with their performances in 2024-25.

Tune in for The Sheet Draft Special, streaming live on the Daily Faceoff YouTube channel on Friday, June 27th at 7 PM EST. Hosted by Jeff Marek, this live special will cover all the action from the 2025 Draft, including expert analysis of top prospects, team-by-team breakdowns, and real-time reactions to every pick. Whether you’re tracking your team’s future stars or just love the drama of draft night, this is your go-to destination for all things Draft.