The Washington Capitals announced today that the club has signed Terik Parascak to a three-year, entry-level contract worth $975,000 AAV.

Washington drafted Parascak No. 17 overall at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas last weekend.

Parascak spent the 2023-24 season with the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Prince George Cougars and helped the team dominate the WHL all season long. After playing AAA hockey up until the 2022-23 season, the Lethbridge, Alberta native made an immediate impact with the Cougars. He led all rookies in the WHL in goals (43) and points (105), helping the Cougars reach the Western Conference Final. Parascak’s play earned him a spot in the CHL Top Prospects Game and was named to the WHL B.C. Division’s Second All-Star Team.

The 18-year-old came into Las Vegas as the 15th-ranked prospect among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting Scouting. Daily Faceoff draft expert Steven Ellis had Parascak as the No. 46 prospect.

“Some scouts are worried his game isn’t rounded enough,” Ellis said. “And that playing on an offensively dominant team has helped him significantly, and his skating is a real problem.”

Though he has only been playing at a higher level in recent years, people are quickly learning there’s a lot to like about the winger’s game. At 5-foot-11, he needs to improve on his skating, but Parascak has shown he has a great scoring touch to make up for it. He has a keen eye for making plays and finding space to create them as well. If Parascak continues to improve the little things, there is no reason he cannot be a top-six forward.

Parascak is expected to return to Prince George for the 2024-25 WHL season and looks to help the team dominate once again alongside Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt and Detroit Red Wings prospect Ondrej Becher.