The Calgary Flames have signed their top pick, ninth overall, from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft defenceman Zayne Parekh. The wavy-haired defenceman has the potential to be a big time star in the league, despite being selected at ninth in the draft. Clearly, the Flames and General Manager Craig Conroy are super excited to have him, and wasted no time in offering him his entry-level contract (ELC). Furthermore, Conroy had the hot pen today, as he also inked 2023 second-round pick to his ELC, Etienne Morin. And last but not least, Matvei Gridin was also signed to his ELC.
SIGNED ✍️
The #Flames have signed Zayne Parekh to an entry-level contract!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 5, 2024
The Calgary Flames Sign Ninth Overall Pick Zayne Parekh to Entry-Level Contract
As Zayne Parekh signs his first NHL contract, he does so after a monster junior season. He turned 18 back in February, and for a defenceman of his age in the CHL, his numbers were very impressive. In 66 games in 2023-24 for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL, Parekh had 96 points and added 64 penalty minutes. To say Parekh is a high-event player, might be an understatement. He followed it up with a splendid post-season, with 11 points through 13 games.
As mentioned, the Flames also signed their 2023 second rounder, fellow defenceman, Etienne Morin, to his ELC. Morin had a very solid junior career with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. In 189 games, over three seasons, he had 41 goals and 113 assists for 154 points. He also showed his worth in the post-season, which may have actually earned him his initial draft selection. In the 2023 playoffs, he scored 17 points in just 12 games. Also, he did appear in one game with the Flames AHL affiliate last year, the Calgary Wranglers.
And last but not least is Matvei Gridin. Gridin is a Russian-born player, but has now two seasons under his belt in the USHL. This past season, 2023-24, with the Muskegon Lumberjacks he had 83 points in 60 games. Needless to say, he is a sniper, and Calgary is also excited to have him, hence, the signing. Calgary took him 28th overall in this year’s draft.
PEN TO PAPER!
Matvei Gridin has signed a three-year entry-level contract!
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 5, 2024
What Does this Mean in Calgary
The one unknown with Zayne Parekh, is whether his game will translate into the professional ranks. He always has his foot on the pedal, often leading the rush. However, these type of players can be risky, and despite all the positives to his game, he did drop to ninth in the draft. On the other hand, along with Morin and Gridin, coming into Calgary could very well be the perfect situation. GM Conroy has been undergoing a fire sale over the past few months. Names like Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, Jacob Markstrom, and others, all gone to initiate a organizational rebuild. With these two young defencemen, one potential NHL goal-scorer, and along with their young goaltender, Dustin Wolf, the time the rebuild will take is also a bit of an unknown. They still have some more than capable veterans around like Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri, who don’t necessarily seem opposed to waiting out a rebuild.
Main photo: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sport
