The Calgary Flames have recalled top prospect Zayne Parekh from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
With their 6-3 loss to the Erie Otters on Saturday night, the Spirit were eliminated from the OHL Playoffs, leading to wide speculation that the Flames would recall Parekh.
ZAYNE!!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 8, 2025
We've recalled defenceman Zayne Parekh from the OHL's Saginaw Spirit!#Flames | @original16beer pic.twitter.com/M1EXrA8Xhf
Parekh had a marvelous season, racking up 33 goals and 74 assists for 107 points in 61 games while adding nine points in five OHL Playoff contests.
The Flames selected Parekh with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, following Chicago selecting Artyom Levshunov at No. 2 and Ottawa taking Carter Yakemchuk at No. 7.
Parekh was snubbed from Team Canada’s roster at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, which resulted in him going on a ridiculous tear in the second half of the 2024-25 season, collecting 75 points in his final 32 games.
Parekh’s major junior resume just keeps getting better. Last season, the 19-year-old racked up 96 points and helped lead Saginaw to a Memorial Cup championship. Parekh was named the CHL Defenseman of the Year, OHL Most Outstanding Defenceman and won a Hlinka Gretzky gold medal.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis highlighted Parekh as one of his Top 15 NHL prospects thriving in the OHL, “At one point, it looked like Parekh wasn’t going to touch his previous personal best of 96 points set last year. But after registering at least three points four times in a six-game span, Parekh might finish things off with 100 points instead,” Ellis said. “When Parekh is on his game, he’s not only one of the most dangerous defensemen, but he’s one of the most outstanding OHLers, period. A 35-goal, 100-point season would be bonkers for a blueliner – especially one who didn’t make Canada’s World Junior team – and while he can make the odd gaffes in his own zone, his pure skill and dominant puck play mostly overshadow that. The Flames have an excellent prospect in Parekh.”
The Flames will face off against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, the Minnesota Wild on Friday, the San Jose Sharks on Sunday and then cap off the season with games against Vegas and Los Angeles. It’s unclear when Parekh will make his debut.