SportsHockeyFlames

Calgary Flames defenceman Parekh leaves game with upper-body injury

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Nov 8 2025, 3:54 am
Calgary Flames defenceman Parekh leaves game with upper-body injury
Sergei Belski/Imagn Images

The Calgary Flames are being forced to run with five defenceman for the remainder of their game versus the Chicago Blackhawks.

Early in the second period, Zayne Parekh took a hit along the boards from Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno. While the hit didn’t appear vicious, it was immediately clear that the 19-year-old was in pain as he was headed to the bench. Cameras caught him favouring his shoulder area when talking with trainers.

It wound up being a pretty chaotic situation for the Flames, as Joel Hanley and MacKenzie Weegar were both in the box for fighting. Due to the short bench, Joel Farabee wound up taking several shifts as a defenceman alongside Rasmus Andersson and Brayden Pachal.

Parekh did not return for the second period, and was ruled out of the game by the Flames during the second intermission. Head coach Ryan Huska confirmed postgame that the right-shot defenceman will miss some time.

“He’s going to miss a little bit of time,” Huska said. “I don’t know the extent of it yet, but we’ll find out some more tomorrow.”

The check from Foligno was just one of several big hits Parekh has taken early in the season as he attempts to adjust to the physicality of the NHL.

“I think it’s probably getting used to the speed, a little bit,” Huska said. “Guys close quite a bit quicker than what he’s used to, and then understanding how to put your body into a different position so you’re not taking such heavy hits.

“I think that’s something he’s going to be learning along the way here. Unfortunately, he took a pretty good one tonight from a heavier player.”

The Flames were already down a defenceman heading into Friday’s game, as Kevin Bahl was unable to suit up after being deemed a game-time decision earlier in the day.

Friday’s game marked Parekh’s 11th of the season, having already sat out five as a healthy scratch. He’s logged one assist in his rookie campaign, while averaging 15:36 minutes of ice time.

ADVERTISEMENT