The Calgary Flames may have found their future cornerstone defenseman in the 2024 Draft with the ninth overall pick, Zayne Parekh.
Entering the draft, the 17-year-old compiled the 13th highest scoring season by a defenseman in OHL history with 33 goals, 63 assists, and 96 points in 66 games.
However, Parekh has been on a mission all season to shatter his personal best totals. In only 57 games this season, he's outdone himself with 32 goals, 68 assists, and 100 points.
Parekh can climb into the top five all-time for best single performances with six games left on the schedule.
He's already one of ten defenders to score over 100 points in a season and needs just ten more points to surpass Shawn Evans, who had 109 points in 1983-84, for fifth place.
Considering his points-per-game average is 1.74 this year, Parekh is on pace for 10.44 points in the final two weeks and can catch Bruce Boudreau, who tallied 111 points in 1982-83.
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesDespite his historic campaign, he will not catch the top three scorers: Scott MacLellan (121 points), Jamie Rivers (121 points), and Bryan Fogarty (155 points).
In three seasons, the native of Nobleton, ON, has become the highest-scoring defenseman in the Saginaw Spirit, with 233 points in just 173 games. He ranks fifth all-time in franchise history among all skaters, and is just two points behind Cole Coskey, who had 235 points.
Although Parekh is a defenseman, he ranks 10th in goals scored (86), recently broke the team record for assists (147), and maintains a one-point lead over teammate Michael Mesa, who has 146 helpers.
Overall, his career 1.347 points-per-game average ranks sixth all-time in Spirit history.
During the 2024-25 NHL pre-season, Parekh played with the Flames, with many in the fan base excited to see if he can crack the lineup next season.
Historically, only one defenseman surpassed 100 points with the Flames in a single season, Hall of Famer Al MacInnis, who scored 103 points thanks to 28 goals and 75 assists.
Will Parekh's transition to the NHL soon lead to him challenging some of the club's records?