Calgary Flames defenceman Zayne Parekh getting his 'cockiness' back ahead of new season
There may not be a player on the Calgary Flames roster more eager to get the 2026-27 season underway than Zayne Parekh.
After dominating at virtually every level he’d played, the highly talented defenceman faced plenty of adversity in his first season in the professional ranks. That, of course, wasn’t a major surprise to many, given that he didn’t turn 20 years old until February.
The down season impacted Parekh’s confidence at times, as he seemed hesitant to play the dynamic style of game that allowed for him to be selected ninth overall in the 2024 draft. It was a disappointing development given that Parekh’s confidence had always been regarded as being sky-high.
The good news, however, was that Parekh did appear to be getting some of his swagger back to close out the 2025-26 campaign, and, according to GM Craig Conroy, he seems like he’s back to his old ways ahead of this year’s training camp.
“I thought there was a lot of self-doubt in his game when I talked to him at the beginning of last year,” Conroy said on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. “Just at the end of the year, talking to him the other day […] it’s just the way he’s carrying himself; he’s just got a confidence, and he feels more comfortable now.”
“He just couldn’t believe how fast, and big, and strong, and quick everything was happening. He just couldn’t do what he wanted to do, and I think it was the first time in his career where there was a little bit of doubt in his mind. I think as the season went along, especially the way he finished at the end, he’s got that cockiness back. I want him to feel good about himself.”
Hearing that Parekh’s confidence has returned is great news for the organization and its fan base, as it’s been apparent for quite some time now just how much skill he possesses.
“He scored an unbelievable goal at the end of the year where you’re like, ‘OK, this is what [we’re expecting],” Conroy said. “He went down to the American League for four games, had five points, and he scored one goal coming down, did a little spinorama, and put it right short side shelf. I’m like, ‘Holy. He’s starting to feel it now.'”
There will still be some bumps in the road for Parekh given his age and limited experience at the professional level, but if Conroy is right and the confidence that made him such a highly touted prospect has returned, the Flames could be getting a much different version of their young defenceman in 2026-27.
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