It did not take long for Terik Parascak to earn the nickname “The Super Rookie” in Prince George and around the WHL this season.
For good reason, the 17-year-old forward scored 105 points (43 goals, 62 assists) in 68 regular season games, leading all CHL rookies in points, goals, assists, and +/- rating.
Parascak’s 105-point season also set the franchise records for most goals, assists, and points by a Cougar rookie.
He also put up 14 points in the playoffs.
The @PGCougars have their first goal in the Western Conference Championship since 2007 and it goes to THE SUPER ROOKIE!#NHLDraft | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/hm2ir81C4w
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 27, 2024
Parascak was selected by the Cougars in the 4th round of the 2021 WHL draft, 76th overall.
After one year with the team he is now considered a top prospect in the NHL Draft – ranked 15th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and projected by many to be a later first-round draft pick.
In an interview with Vista Radio, the Super Rookie said he is feeling “tons of excitement” under a week before day one of the draft.
“With all the talk about it throughout the season, once the season ended it becomes more real and something you think about more,” he said.
This year’s draft will be held in Las Vegas at the Sphere – while each year’s draft is special for the young athletes hoping to hear their name called, this one will be even more so as the last NHL draft held in person.
“The event, regardless of where it is, is special, but to have it in a place like Vegas and at the Sphere, I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.
From Lethbridge, Alberta, Parascak grew up as a Calgary Flames fan.
While he understandably could not comment on which teams he would prefer to be (or not be) drafted by, he said as a kid, playing for the Flames was a dream.
“The Flames for sure were the team I cheered for as a young kid growing up, that would be a super exciting place to play,” he said, adding there were “quite a few” interested teams he has had discussions with leading up to the draft.
Calgary picks twice in the first round, 9th and 28th.
Some of those interviews were held at the NHL combine, where each year’s top prospects go through fitness testing and have a chance to meet with team personnel.
“You know how a lot of guys look on the ice, but you don’t really know how strong they are off the ice or how well they move,” Parascak said. “It is a super cool experience to be around all the other top prospects.”
Some of the most memorable and unique questions teams asked him include:
- What is your Uber rating?
- How many followers do you have on Instagram?
- If you were in the army, would you be a sniper, medic, or helicopter pilot? (He chose sniper.)
Riley Heidt and Koehn Ziemmer, two of Parascak’s Cougar teammates, both went to the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville where they were taken in the second and third rounds.
“The two of them have been a huge help to me throughout the year, helping me in any way that I need,” Parascak said. “They told me to enjoy the moment, take it all in, and not overthink things.”
Terik Parascak is a forward with the @PGCougars.
He isn’t the only athlete in his family as his father Brad, who currently runs a chiropractic clinic, is a former NCAA hockey player. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/WX6LSKw56X
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 20, 2024
Ondrej Becher and Hunter Laing are two other Cougars who are hoping to be selected at the draft.
Becher, who is 19 and in his final year of draft eligibility, emerged as one of the WHL’s best two-way forwards this season.
He finished the year with 96 points in just 58 games played, running laps around his 38 points the year prior.
He is ranked 69th among NHL Central Scouting’s top North American Skaters.
This is Ondrej Becher and Terik Parascak's world, we're just living in it. @PGCougars pic.twitter.com/sOrzEzFz2I
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 5, 2023
Laing was another rookie on the Cougars’ roster this year.
Standing at 6’6, he had 25 points in 66 games with the Cats.
He is ranked 86th among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
🎥 HUNTER LAING – HIGHLIGHT REEL 🎥
Coming out with a bang, it’s Hunter Laing!@PGCougars | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/PtvMC3SHw2
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 15, 2024
The NHL draft begins on Friday (June 28) at 4:00.
The first round of selections will be made on day one, the rest of the draft will be held on Saturday.
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