WA-CGY-DeadlinePlans The Calgary Flames have scored some superstar draft picks in their history, and right now, 18-year-old defenseman Zayne Parekh [https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/535574/zayne-parekh] (Saginaw Spirit) is making a case in the OHL to join the list of elite NHL names like Mike Vernon, Al MacInnis, and Johnny Gaudreau. Parekh was recently named the OHL's Defenseman of the Month [https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/parekh-named-ohl-defenceman-of-the-month-in-january] for January. He scored 11 goals and 20 points in ten games, surprisingly scoring a point in all but one game, a 7-2 loss against the Niagara Ice Dogs on Jan. 9. The reigning OHL Defenseman of the Year is now a three-time monthly award winner, having previously won the honors in March 2024 and November 2023. At the 2024 Draft, the Flames selected Parekh [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/the-calgary-flames-absolutely-knocked-it-out-of-the-park-with-their-incredible-2024-draft-class-from-the-ohl] with the ninth overall pick. Before the 2024-25 season, his third with the Spirit, he had tallied 133 points in 116 games with 54 goals and 79 assists. He had a career season leading up to the draft and is now on pace for an even better campaign. Parekh has 67 points in 42 games with 24 goals and 43 assists but is projected to finish with 36 goals, 65 assists, and 101 points. Parekh scored his 200th OHL point with the Spirit on Sunday, recording his 20th multi-point contest this season. He is already the team's highest-scoring defenseman, and he extends his record with every point. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMTg1MzcxNTIwMjgwMTky/thncgynews.png]
