Zayne Parekh has plenty to look back on as he reflects on his first NHL season. The Calgary Flames defenseman ended his rookie campaign on a high note, scoring a spectacular goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the regular-season finale. However, the journey was not always smooth for the 19-year-old, who struggled to find his footing early in the season due to injuries and the challenge of adjusting to professional hockey.
Early-Season Struggles
Parekh’s debut season did not unfold as he had envisioned. Through the first few months, he faced difficulties establishing himself on the ice. Injuries compounded the issue, but the primary hurdle was the steep learning curve of transitioning from junior hockey to the NHL. Despite these obstacles, Parekh remained focused on development.
Turning Point at the Trade Deadline
The NHL trade deadline on March 6 marked a significant turning point for Parekh. After the deadline, his performance improved dramatically. In the 17 games prior to the deadline, he recorded just one assist and played over 18 minutes only once. In contrast, over the 20 games following the deadline, he scored four goals, added four assists, and logged more than 18 minutes of ice time on 12 occasions.
“Ever since the deadline, I feel like I’ve been getting better every game,” Parekh said. “I know it hasn’t been the best season, but I wouldn’t say it’s been a bad one, at all. I think I’ve learned a lot and learned how to be a pro and have taken big strides. Obviously, I wanted to come in at the start of the season and be successful right away and not have to go through that struggle that I did for the first half, but those growing pains are good.”
Development Over Numbers
For Parekh, the focus this season was on growth rather than statistics. At 19, he was too young for the AHL (except for a rehab stint), ineligible for the NCAA due to his pro contract, and had already dominated the OHL. Thus, jumping directly to the NHL was the only viable path. Evaluating his season required looking beyond raw numbers to track his evolution as a player.
By that measure, the year was encouraging. Parekh’s confidence with the puck grew, he became more adept at evading opponents, and his power-play setup improved. These subtle yet critical advancements suggest a bright future for the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Coach’s Perspective
Flames head coach Ryan Huska noted Parekh’s progress. “I think you want to see him pick up where he’s left off,” Huska said. “Over the course of the year he’s had some dips and ups-and-downs all over the place, but by the end of it he flattened those out and still ended up (better) compared to where he started. I want him to have a good summer as far as building some strength onto his frame, that’s going to allow him to come back feeling more confident that he can handle some of the heavier games he’s going to have to play against harder forechecks that he can spin off and do all the things he can do.”
Looking Ahead
If Parekh can carry his post-deadline momentum into the next season, the Flames could be in for an exciting year. His trajectory indicates a player who learns quickly and adapts, making him a key asset for the team’s future. With a summer focused on physical development, Parekh aims to build on his rookie experience and become a consistent contributor.
