Calgary Flames top prospect Zayne Parekh won’t be skating for Team Canada at the upcoming world junior tournament.
Parekh was a surprise omission from the selection camp roster, which was revealed Monday. Also left off the list was Calgary Hitmen standout Carter Yakemchuk.
It’s always tough to crack Canada’s lineup but many pundits — and many of the staff at the Saddledome — figured that the 18-year-old Parekh should be on the squad.
The ninth-overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, Parekh is averaging 1.36 points per game this season on behalf the Saginaw Spirit, second-best among all blue-liners across the CHL.
His statsheet shows eight goals, 22 helpers and a plus-13 rating in 22 outings. He served a one-game suspension this weekend after being assessed a match penalty for cross-checking.
Parekh also has plenty of big-game experience after leading the Spirit to a Memorial Cup title last spring.
Yakemchuk made a strong case this fall that he was ready for a full-time job with the Ottawa Senators. Since returning to the WHL’s Hitmen, the 19-year-old has posted 23 points — a mix of nine goals and 14 assists — in 20 games.
Canada’s selection camp is set for Dec. 10-13 in Ottawa. The list of invitees includes 10 defence hopefuls — Cameron Allen (Guelph Strom), Beau Akey (Barrie Colts), Oliver Bonk (London Knights), Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers), Sam Dickinson (London Knights), Andrew Gibson (Soo Greyhounds), Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades), Sawyer Mynio (Seattle Thunderbirds), Caden Price (Kelowna Rockets) and Matthew Schaefer (Erie Otters).
Tanner Howe, acquired by the Hitmen in a blockbuster trade last month, is among those in the mix for a forward role with Team Canada.
Axel Hurtig, selected by the Flames in the seventh round of in 2023 and currently patrolling the blue-line for the Hitmen, is a candidate for Sweden’s roster.