Parent made his NHL debut last season, playing five games with the New Jersey Devils and made a lasting impression, earning himself a one-year, two-way contract extension. The undrafted 25-year-old forward spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 39 points (20G / 19A) in 63 games with the Utica Comets.
Timo Meier (personal) will not play on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Parent to draw into the lineup for his NHL debut. Parent is an undrafted 24-year-old that has spent the previous four seasons in the AHL with the Utica Comets. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 20 games with Utica this season.
Parent's contract doesn't start until the 2025-26 season, so the 23-year-old will remain with Utica (AHL) for the 2024-25 season. The undrafted free agent has scored 11 goals with 15 assists (26 points) in 44 games in his second full season with Utica.
