Flames sign 2024 first-round picks Parekh, Gridin to three-year entry-level contracts

CALGARY — The Calgary Flames have signed 2024 first-round draft picks Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin to three-year entry-level contracts.

The average annual value for both contracts will be US$975,000.

The 18-year-old Parekh was taken ninth overall after a 2023-24 campaign that saw him score 33 goals and dish out 63 assists in 66 regular-season games before helping lead the Saginaw Spirit to a Memorial Cup title.

His 1.45 points per game was the highest by a blue liner in the Ontario Hockey League since 2009, earning him OHL and Canadian Hockey League defenceman of the year honours.

Gridin, selected 28th overall, had a career year with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, scoring 38 goals and 45 assists to lead the USHL in scoring and earning first-team all-star honours.

The Flames also signed second-round pick Etienne Morin to a three-year entry-level deal that carries an AAV of $903,400.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2024.

The Canadian Press