Flames’ Zayne Parekh to miss remainder of World Junior Summer Showcase
Concerning news for one of the Calgary Flames’ top prospects on the blue line.
On Tuesday, the team announced that Zayne Parekh will not be a participant for Team Canada at the World Junior Summer Showcase. The team says it’s taking precautionary measures for a lower-body injury.
For precautionary reasons, Zayne Parekh will not participate in the Team Canada World Junior camp due to a lower body injury. He has returned to Calgary where he will follow up with Flames medical staff. He is expected to be a full participant at Calgary Flames camp in September.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 29, 2025According to the Flames, Parekh is heading back to Calgary to follow up with the team’s medical staff. The organization expects the Nobleton, Ont. native to make a full recovery before training camp begins in a little over a month.
It hasn’t been specified what Parekh strained, or when and how it happened. However, it seems to be clear that the Flames aren’t willing to take any chances on the young rearguard.
Daily Faceoff prospect expert Steven Ellis had Parekh one of the players to watch at this year’s WJSS, explaining what would make him a key part of Canada’s redemption tour in the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship, after being left off the roster last year in Ottawa.
“Parekh is one of the top prospects who could end up playing in the NHL full-time this season,” Ellis wrote. “But after getting cut from Canada’s roster back in December, you have to think Parekh wouldn’t mind getting a crack at chasing gold. Parekh is very unique in the way that he can dominate in so many elements of the game. … Canada would love to have him in Minnesota in December – and perhaps make up for the mistake they made leaving him off a few months back.”
Calgary selected Parekh in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft. He was the third blueliner taken. He made an immediate impact with the club, scoring a goal in his NHL debut on April 17, 2025, against the Los Angeles Kings. It’s the youngster’s lone NHL game to date.
Prior to turning pro, Parekh established himself as a can’t-miss player thanks to his efforts with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. In the 2023-24 season, he was named the best defenseman in both the OHL and the Canadian Hockey League, scoring an impressive 33 goals and 96 points. Parekh was a key player in helping Saginaw win the Memorial Cup for the first time.
This past year, he was named a First-Team All-Star in both leagues after leading all OHL defenders with 107 points.