Zayne Parekh isn’t slowing down.
The coveted 2024 NHL Draft prospect scored goals 29 and 30 on the season on Friday night in Brantford, tying the score at three with 5:15 to spare before netting the winner off an odd-man rush 28 seconds into the extra frame.
Parekh, an 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont., is just the second draft eligible defenceman in OHL history to score 30 goals in a season, joining John Slaney of the Cornwall Royals who did so in 1989-90. Slaney went on to be selected ninth overall by the Washington Capitals and play 268 games in the NHL as part of a lengthy professional career.
Digging deeper, Parekh is the seventh draft eligible CHL defender to accomplish the feat, joining such names as Dana Murzyn (1984-85), Greg Hawgood (1985-86), Jamie Heward (1988-89) and Ian White (2001-02) out of the WHL along with Brian McCullough (1971-72) from the QMJHL.
Since 1999-2000, just Nicolas Hague of the 2017-18 Mississauga Steelheads has exceeded 30 when he scored 35 for the Trout enroute to being named OHL Defenceman of the Year. Hague won a Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights last spring.
Through 106 OHL regular season games, Parekh has produced 51 goals, 70 assists and 121 points. He and his Spirit teammates are in Owen Sound on Saturday as their march to the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow continues.
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