Calgary Flames Top Prospect Has Record-Breaking Night

The Saginaw Spirit had to make some tough decisions this year, trading away core 19-year-old players from their roster to restock their draft cupboard.

It wasn't easy for GM Dave Drinkill to trade away Joey Willis, Ethan Hay, and Will Bishop, but the team isn't without their star talent despite the moves at the trade deadline.

Calgary Flames 2024 first-rounder Zayne Parekh has been nothing short of sensational and electrifying since he entered the league after being picked 19th overall by the Spirit in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

Related: Will Tough Decisions Now Benefit Saginaw Down The Road?

He set a Saginaw record last season for most goals (33) and points (96) all while taking home the Max Kaminsky Trophy for OHL Defenseman of the Year and the CHL Defenseman of the Year.

The Calgary Flames could not pass up on the opportunity to draft Parekh at No. 9 in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, knowing they could have a potential 60-point defenseman in their hands.

His offensive intelligence, combined with pinpoint accurate passing and seeing-eye shot, makes him lethal on the powerplay. And he did damage on the man advantage Saturday night against Guelph, en route to making more Saginaw Spirit history.

Parekh came into the game three points behind legendary Spirit defenseman Patrick McNeill for the most points by a defenseman in franchise history.

Early in the first period, on the powerplay, Parekh leans into his wrister, scoring with that patented seeing-eye point shot he is incredibly known for.

Later in the frame, after winning an offensive zone faceoff, he glides down the boards and moves into the faceoff circle. He then delivers a perfect pass to his captain, Michael Misa, who redirects it into the top portion of the net.

Shifting into the second period with the Spirit on a 5-on-3 powerplay, it's another Parekh wrister that finds the back of the net for point number three on the night and tying him with McNeill all-time.

Stop me if you've heard this before. Saginaw is on the powerplay again and Parekh records another point on the man advantage. His secondary assist on Misa's second of the game was a history-making one. With his fourth point of the night, he surpassed McNeill for most points by a Saginaw defenseman in franchise history.

Related: Zayne Parekh signs with the Calgary Flames

However, the Flames star prospect wasn't finished there.

In a thrilling turn of events, Saginaw found themselves not on the powerplay, yet Zayne Parekh unleashed another incredible wrist shot that left the goaltender no chance.

This spectacular goal not only sealed his hat trick but also wrapped up an astonishing five-point night, marking a record-setting performance that fans will talk about for ages.

184 points in 152 games for Parekh, and counting. The Nobleton, Ontario native will go down as one of the most elite offensive defensemen the OHL has ever seen.

His 51 points this season are the fourth-most amongst defensemen, but his 1.41 points per game is the second-highest, trailing only Sam Dickinson.

I sure think that Team Canada could have used his elite offensive skills at the recent World Juniors.

Related: Is This Calgary Flames Prospect The Biggest Steal Of The 2024 Draft?

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