1st Round, 9th Overall - D Zayne Parekh
Player Profile (by Torie Peterson, Flames.com):
- An elite offensive talent, he scored 33 goals and 96 points in 66 regular season games in 2023-24, averaging 1.45 points-per-game (the best points-per-game average from an OHL defenceman since 2009). In the playoffs, he scored 2 goals and 11 points in 13 games.
- He was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman this season.
- Also played for Canada in 2023-24, scoring 3 goals and 5 points in 7 games with Canada Black at the U17s.
- At 16, he was voted to the CHL’s All-Rookie Team and broke the OHL’s all-time under-17 goals-for record by a defenceman with 21 goals in 2022-23.
- Can provide plenty of flash but also has a shot-pass and space management approach to his offensive game, similar to that of Quinn Hughes and Adam Fox.
- Has South Korean (mom’s side) and Indian (dad’s side) heritage.
- Finished high school by the age of 16 and was taking courses at the University Of Toronto during the 2023-24 season.
- Aspires to be a pilot and considered the collegiate route before opting to play in the OHL to get more games in.
- From his Future Considerations scouting report: “Parekh, an offensive-minded defenseman, showcases an impressive blend of skill and determination on the ice. Utilizing his agile edgework and quick turns, he evades fore- checkers with ease, generating speed to contribute offensively while maintaining a solid defensive presence. His elite vision and decision-making allow him to execute precise passes and make smart plays under pressure, highlighting his high hockey IQ. Despite his smaller stature, Parekh com- pensates with active defensive tactics, utilizing his stick and skating ability to disrupt opposing forwards and maintain defensive pressure."
Survey Says:
NHL Idol: Cale Makar
Walk-Up Song Choices: Clocks, Coldplay or Shots, Imagine Dragons
Pre-game meal or routine: Chicken and rice
Which player would you like to go back in time and play with: A young Steven Stamkos
Favourite hockey memory: Winning the Memorial Cup
When I’m not playing hockey I’m: Spending time with my teammates"
What was your favourite hockey team growing up: Tampa Bay Lightning
Who do you think is the best forward in the NHL: Connor McDavid
Who do you think is the best defenceman in the NHL: Cale Makar
Who do you think is the best goaltender in the NHL: Jake Oettinger
Which NHL player do you think has the best style/fashion: Auston Matthews
If you could play an NHL game in any city in the world where would it be: New York
What is your nickname: Z
What is something fans would be surprised to know about you: I’m a solid golfer
What is your hidden talent: I can do a Rubix Cube.
Who is your favorite non-hockey athlete: Kobe Bryant
Scouting Report (via NHL Central Scouting):
A smooth skater with requisite speed, quickness and offensive smarts. Good instincts, reads and reacts quickly to move the puck with purpose. Plays with some “swag” and his game has matured considerably to where he makes measured choices with the puck. Excels and is creative on the power play. Very good handling the puck. A precision passer with quick hands in traffic, sets up point shots from the middle and has a quick release. Gets shots low and on net to generate extra chances. Composed and laid-back presence, never panics or gets rushed. Defends effectively with his smarts and stick and is very effective at getting in the way of an opponent or puck.
GM Craig Conroy's Take:
"High-end offence. If you've watched him, high hockey sense, skill. He competes hard, too. That's the one thing. And he's got a real swagger when he's on the ice and you like it. Winning a Memorial Cup, it never hurts to have guys that have won.
"He was an easy guy to talk to, but he had confidence and he was enjoyable. He made a couple little jokes in there and was talking about him and (London Knights defenceman Sam) Dickinson going 1-on-1 and he was like, 'That's a good stick isn't it?' Little things like that. He's got a good personality and he's going to bring some life to the Flames."
Director of Amateur Scouting Tod Button's Take:
"Skill and offence. It's as simple as that. The numbers he put up, the ability to pass the puck, the brain, everything. He's a winner. He was the whole package.
"The thing with Zayne is he's a really smart kid, like intelligence-wise. He knows what his shortcomings are and he has something that a lot of kids in this draft don't have, and that's the skill and the offence and the brain. He knows what he has to work on like every other kid. He'll add details to his defensive game, like he needs to do with the structure and everything, but he's a competitive kid. He'll learn it, he'll do it. The hardest thing sometimes with kids is when they have so much success at 17, it's hard for them to accept that, 'I don't have to play any different, or I don't have to change or add.' But he was different. He understands what happens at the next level and there are bigger, stronger kids that play against him and he won't be able to do some of the things he does, but the self-awareness and the self-identity to leave him to be fine over the next couple years."
