Two promising Calgary Flames defensive prospects, Zayne Parekh and Etienne Morin, have been selected to participate in Hockey Canada’s Summer Showcase camp, where they will compete for spots on Canada’s World Junior roster.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, revealed that Parekh and Morin are among the 42 players named to the camp roster, with both players falling under the defenseman category among the 13 selected.
Zayne Parekh, born in 2006, has eligibility to play for Canada’s national junior team in both the upcoming year and the following. He was recently drafted by the Flames as the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, following an exceptional season with the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League. Parekh’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, tallying 33 goals and 96 points, leading all blueliners in offensive production throughout the league. His efforts were instrumental in securing a Memorial Cup championship for the Spirit, further solidifying his reputation as a top defenseman in Canadian junior hockey. Parekh has also represented Canada in international competitions, including the Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he contributed to Canada’s gold medal success. Despite missing out on the Under-18 World Championships due to Saginaw’s playoff and Memorial Cup commitments, Parekh’s stellar international track record positions him as a strong contender for a defensive position on the World Junior roster this year.
Etienne Morin, born in 2005, is entering his final year of eligibility for the World Junior tournament. Selected by the Flames as the 48th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Morin showcased his talents during a standout draft season with Moncton, amassing 72 points in 67 games. Although his offensive output dipped slightly the following season with 49 points in 48 games, Morin remains a respected prospect known for his offensive prowess. Internationally, Morin represented Canada at the Under-18 World Championships in his draft year, contributing to the team’s bronze medal achievement. While considered a less certain candidate compared to Parekh, Morin’s offensive abilities and previous international experience make him a contender worthy of consideration for Canada’s World Junior team.
The Summer Showcase is scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 3, with Canada’s camp initially occurring in Windsor, Ontario from July 28 to 30 before moving to Plymouth, Michigan for the tournament hosted by USA Hockey. Alongside Parekh and Morin, Flames prospect Axel Hurtig will be showcasing his skills for Team Sweden at the event, highlighting the international scope of talent represented by Calgary’s emerging stars.
