Zayne_Parekh

Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh

Canadian ice hockey player (born 2006)

Zayne Parekh (born February 15, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He is considered a top prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Quick Facts Born, Height ...

Playing career

While playing AAA hockey for the Markham Majors in the Greater Toronto Hockey League, Parekh was selected 19th overall in the 2022 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft by the Saginaw Spirit.[1] He signed with the Spirit on May 19 and made his OHL debut on October 1, in a 10–6 victory over the Guelph Storm.[2]

In his first full OHL season in 2022–23, Parekh recorded 21 goals and 37 points across 50 games, breaking the record for most goals by a 16-year-old defenceman.[3] He was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and the OHL First All-Rookie Team.[4][5]

The 2023–24 season saw Parekh continue as a prolific scorer and attract considerable notice from commentators and scouts. On January 20, 2024, Parekh tied the Saginaw Spirit club record set by Patrick McNeill for most goals by a defenseman in a single season,[6] and not long after was selected as one of 40 draft-eligible prospects to attend the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.[7] He was suspended for two games following an incident after a stoppage in play during a game against the Windsor Spitfires on January 21, 2024.[8] He finished the season with 33 goals and 96 points, becoming only the second defenceman in league history to score at least thirty goals in their first season of NHL draft eligibility. He received the Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL defenceman of the year, and finished second in voting for the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL's most valuable player, behind Easton Cowan.[9][10] As well, he was named to the First All-Star Team.[11] Parekh was ultimately given the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award as the best defenceman of the three CHL component leagues,[12] and named to the CHL First All-Star Team.[13] In the postseason, Parekh was a key figure in the Spirit's deep playoff run, but injury caused him to miss the opening game of the team's Western Conference Final series against the London Knights.[14] He returned thereafter, but The Hockey News opined that he remained "a little banged up" and did not perform to his former standard.[15] The Knights ultimately defeated the Spirit in six games.[16]

Entering the 2024 NHL entry draft, Parekh's strengths such as his skating, strong shot, and puckhandling were applauded, while concerns were raised about his decision making and positioning, drawing comparisons to Erik Karlsson and Quinn Hughes.[17][18][19]

International play

Quick Facts Medal record, Representing Canada ...

Parekh represented Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording three assists in five games, helping the team win a gold medal.[20]

Personal life

Parekh is of Indian and South Korean heritage and the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers.[21]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

More information Regular season, Playoffs ...

International

More information Year, Team ...

Awards and honours

More information Award, Year ...

References

  1. [1]
    Bernreuter, Hugh (May 1, 2022). "Saginaw Spirit finish off 2022 draft after notable No. 1 pick". mlive.com. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  2. [2]
    "NEWS: Spirit announce signings of Zayne Parekh, Bode Stewart". CHL.ca. Saginaw Spirit. May 19, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  3. [3]
    Kennedy, Ryan (July 21, 2023). "2024 NHL Draft Sneak Peek: Zayne Parekh Finds Footing with Spirit". thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  4. [4]
    Tidcombe, Matt (June 1, 2023). "2022-23 CHL All-Star Teams announced". CHL.ca. Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  5. [5]
    Malone, Mark (June 2, 2023). "Four Sting players chosen OHL all-stars". theobserver.ca. The Sarnia Observer. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  6. [6]
    Szumowicz, Austin (January 21, 2024). "Parekh ties McNeill as Spirit defeat Petes 3-1". WNEM. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  7. [7]
    Spiker, Brianne (January 24, 2024). "Top prospects in spotlight at CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on TSN". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  8. [8]
    Stockl, Joely (January 26, 2024). "Zayne Parekh Suspended for Two Games by OHL After Game Versus Kingston". thehockeynews.com. The Hockey News. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  9. [9]
    Sweetland, Josh (April 30, 2024). "Spirit's Parekh awarded Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL Defenceman of the Year". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  10. [10]
    Sweetland, Josh (May 2, 2024). "Knights' Cowan awarded Red Tilson Trophy as OHL's Most Outstanding Player". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  11. [11]
    Sweetland, Josh (May 28, 2024). "OHL Announces 2023-24 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  12. [12]
    Séguin, Christopher (June 1, 2024). "Jagger Firkus named Player of the Year as the best & brightest from the CHL are recognized at the 2024 CHL Awards". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  13. [13]
    Séguin, Christopher (June 2, 2024). "CHL Announces 2023-24 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams presented by CCM". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  14. [14]
    Stockl, Joely (April 26, 2024). "Saginaw's Zayne Parekh & Andrew Oke to Miss Game One of Western Conference Finals vs. London Knights Due to Injury". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  15. [15]
    Stockl, Joely (May 5, 2024). "Western Conference Finals Game 6 Preview; London Knights vs. Saginaw Spirit". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  16. [16]
    Stockl, Joely (May 5, 2024). "The London Knights Advance to the OHL Finals After Beating Saginaw & Winning Series 4-2". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  17. [17]
    Orth, Jordan (February 25, 2024). "Catching Up with Saginaw Spirit Defenseman Zayne Parekh". thehockeywriters.com. The Hockey Writers. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  18. [18]
    Kalakeche, Hadi (February 16, 2024). "DobberProspects' Mid-Season Top 64 for the 2024 NHL Draft". dobberprospects.com. DobberProspects. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  19. [19]
    Kennedy, Ryan (March 1, 2024). "Future Watch Weekly: In Defense of Zayne Parekh – The Next Erik Karlsson?". The Hockey News. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  20. [20]
    "Misa, Parekh take gold at 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup". CHL.ca. August 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  21. [21]
    Douglas, William. "Color of Hockey: Parekh already breaking scoring records as OHL rookie". NHL. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  22. [22]
    Séguin, Christopher (June 3, 2023). "Spirit win their first-ever CHL championship title by defeating the Knights 4-3 in the final of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
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