NIAGARA FALLS – Zane Parekh showed a slightly different figure.
The Calgary Flames defenseman, known for his positive and laid-back outlook, seemed a little gloomy.
Parekh was in his first full season in the NHL when he suffered an upper-body injury in early November. While the 19-year-old was fully recovered, general manager Craig Conroy floated the idea of joining Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
“The biggest thing they noticed was that some days I didn't always have as much of a smile on my face as usual,” Parekh said. “That's what they want from me. When (Conroy) asked if I wanted to go, I immediately said yes.”
“They just want me to have fun and get back into my groove.”
The national under-20 men's program received a major boost from this one conversation.
Despite recording just one assist in 11 games with Calgary, the talented player from Nobleton, Ont., with his excellent skating and shooting skills, is showing off his elite offensive skills at training camp in Canada.
Parekh scored 33 goals and 107 points in the 2024-25 season for the Saginaw Spirit, leading all Blues in the Canadian Hockey League. He also became the second defenseman in Ontario Hockey League/Ontario Hockey Association history (along with Bobby Orr) to record consecutive 30-goal seasons.
“Dynamic,” said Dale Hunter, who returned to coaching in Canada after winning gold in 2020. “I call him an ankle breaker. He's made a couple of our wingers fall. He makes head gestures, has great hands and great vision.”
The six-foot, 187-pound Parekh was originally not invited to last year's selection camp but was then added due to injury. He got into a couple of scrimmages with Canadian university players but was cut.
“I wanted to be on this team,” Parekh said, choosing his words carefully. “But that’s not what I’m bitter about.”
It turns out Canada could use it in Ottawa. Matthew Schaefer, who will be the No. 1 overall pick in June's NHL Entry Draft and is off to a great start with the New York Islanders, broke his collarbone in his second game with the team.
The ineffective hosts—largely lacking game-changing talent—ended up scoring just 13 goals in five games, including 4-for-19 on the power play, and exited the showcase before the medal round for the second year in a row.
Alan Millar, Canada's junior team general manager, said Parekh is expected to fill a similar role as Schaefer did before he crashed into the net against Latvia about 12 months ago.
“We need him in more than just most situations,” Millar said. “But we all know that a lot of times this tournament comes down to goalies and special teams. To have an elite forward on top of the power play, a 100-point defenseman in the KHL… is a great thing for us.”
Parekh, who scored a goal in his NHL debut in April and hasn't played a game since Nov. 7, said the move from the OHL to the Flames was an eye-opener.
“There’s a really big gap here,” said the first KHL defenseman this century to top the 90-point plateau more than once after scoring 96 points in 2023-24. “I'm trying to find my way, find my rhythm. I'm 19 and I play in the NHL, so I'm doing something right. It's been a little slow, but I'm just trusting the process.”
Parekh's teammates are impressed by his calm approach in tense situations.
“In a good way, I don't think I've ever seen a more carefree player,” said Canadian star forward Gavin McKenna. “He's so calm, so smooth and so silky. His edge work, his hands, his smarts – he makes all these good plays and does it so calmly. He's a rare defender.”
“His offensive ability is his shooting and his deception,” added center Cole Beaudoin. “You can see he played in the NHL. He's confident in his game.”
This confidence in handling the puck began at a young age. Parekh, whose 107 points in 2024-25 were the highest by a KHL defenseman in 23 years, played a year of minor hockey before his under-16 campaign.
“The most fun thing about hockey is playing with the puck,” he said. “The game eventually slowed down for me.”
Parekh said it's a key part of Saginaw winning the 2024 Memorial Cup. He said the spotlight on Canada when it takes the ice against the Czech Republic in Minneapolis on Dec. 26 after two straight fifth-place finishes won't faze him.
“For me it will be just another game – that’s how it should be,” he said. “You never want to get too high, you never want to get too low. I've played in a lot of big games. I've played in the NHL. I've played in the NHL.”
“The moment will not be more important than it should be.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2025.
