Spirit’s Parekh signs with Flames

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced this afternoon that they have signed Spirit defenceman Zayne Parekh to a three-year, entry-level contract. Parekh, 18, was just drafted 9th overall by the Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft.

A personal-best season for Parekh has now officially landed him an NHL contract. After becoming the first defenceman in Spirit history to win the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year, the first to win CHL Defenceman of the Year, and a Memorial Cup championship, he became the highest NHL draftee in Spirit history June 28th.

With 33 goals and 63 assists for 96 points in 66 regular season games, Parekh’s 1.45 points per game were the best of an OHL blueliner since 2009. In the Memorial Cup, Parekh was a point-per-game performer through five games (1G-4A-5P).

Currently, Parekh is with the Flames at his first-ever NHL Development camp. His older brother Isa, of the Nanaimo Clippers in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), is at Flames camp as well on a free agent invite.

"It's been a whirlwind for the past two months."

Zayne Parekh, selected 9th overall in this year's #NHLDraft, talks to the media at development camp. pic.twitter.com/KMTVHuiHqy

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 4, 2024