After surprising cut a year ago, Flames’ Zayne Parekh out to make a difference with Canada

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – If there’s one thing Calgary Flames defenseman Zayne Parekh doesn’t lack, it’s confidence.

You have to truly believe in yourself when you play a high-flying game style as he does. In a day where modern star defensemen essentially act as fourth forwards without sacrificing their defensive play, Parekh has all the makings of an NHL difference-maker.

But a year ago, Parekh was left off Canada’s World Junior team. It was notable because he was in the midst of one of the most impressive seasons of any junior-aged blueliner. After registering 97 points the year prior, he’d go on to record 33 goals and 107 points in his final year with the Saginaw Spirit. The only other OHL defender to crack the century mark since the start of the 2000s is Ryan Ellis, who had 101 in 2010-11.

Parekh struggled at camp last year (he was a late invite), but letting that three-day showcase overshadow his tremendous body of work was, to say the least, shocking. And when Matthew Schaefer went down with an injury on the second day of the tournament, it was clear they needed someone who could move the puck like Parekh.

But he doesn’t hold any grudges in his second go-around. Even with Canada set to make one cut on the blueline ahead of the 2026 running (two if Sam Dickinson is loaned out), Parekh is a lock to play on Canada’s top pairing, likely alongside Nashville Predators prospect Cameron Reid.

Parekh has spent the whole season in the NHL, registering just one assist in 11 games. It’s not the Calder-caliber performance many expected. But with the Flames’ struggles and a lack of open power-play time for Parekh, it has led to middling production. An injury in early November didn’t help, either. Parekh was only just recently cleared for game action, with Canada’s game against Sweden on Wednesday night being his first time back since Nov. 7.

For the 19-year-old, he’s just happy to be back and getting close to players his own age.

“It’ll nice to be around a bunch of young kids again, because here we’re going to hang out every second of the day,” Parekh said on the opening day of camp. “It’s really different in the NHL where guys have families and kids. It’s tough to really spend time away from the rink with those guys. So it’s really nice to be in that environment again.”

Parekh is one of six players with NHL experience this season on Canada’s roster. Parekh, along with Pittsburgh’s Harrison Brunicke and San Jose‘s Michael Misa, were the only three still with their NHL clubs at the time of the roster announcement. That experience, and learning from veteran defenders like MacKenzie Weegar, Brayden Pachal and Joel ‘Nacho’ Hanley, has been beneficial to Parekh’s development.

“The game away from the puck, I think it’s probably been the best part of my game,” Parekh said. “It was something that I really worked on when I was there with (coach Ryan Huska) and our coaching staff. It was more about using my brain instead of running around. We play a different ‘D’ system here, so it’s gonna be an adjustment to get back to that. But I’m just trying to build some more confidence so that when I go back, I can make the plays I know I’m capable of.”

For Canadian coach Dale Hunter, he’s excited to have Parekh on his side for once. Hunter’s London Knights squad faced many brutal battles against Parekh’s Spirit over the years. Most notably, Saginaw beat London for the 2024 Memorial Cup title.

“He sees the ice so well,” Hunter said. “Every time he touches the puck, something dangerous is going to happen. We watched lots of video on him, but sometimes it didn’t help. That’s a unique player who can play to a high level.”

Parekh is expected to be Canada’s power-play quarterback, just like he was at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. With all his pro experience already, Parekh is going to be leaned on heavily in Minnesota. And he’s ready – excited – for the challenge. Expectations are always enormous for Canada. That’s especially true after two weak showings in the quarterfinals. But with Parekh leading the way, the team should be in good hands.

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