Manor 2024 NHL Draft Preview: Forward Terik Parascak, Canada

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A lot of players featured in our 2024 NHL Draft preview articles have had a theme or significant tie-in to the Kings. While our next prospect to be featured does have a teammate who is part of the Kings organization, discussions of deep relationships and changing of culture won’t be a factor.

Scouting is inexact, regardless if one considers it an art or a science. If there was certainty, pundits wouldn’t have material to talk about “steals”. This player has already reinforced this adage through his rookie junior season. Coincidentally, he continues to be rated lower than statistics suggest.

Terik Parascak

Vitals


Date of Birth: May 28, 2006
Height: 5-feet-11
Weight: 179 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Forward

2023-24 Season

Parascak has spent the entire season with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars. In 68 regular season games, he has 105 points (43 G, 62 A). He also has 14 points (6 G, 8 A) in 12 playoff games as of this writing.

Koehn Kinship

The native of Lethbridge started his rookie season this year with Prince George this season. While he has missed half of the season due to injury, Kings prospect Koehn Ziemmer also plays for the Cougars. Parascak, despite being a newcomer this season, also had a cup of coffee in the WHL last year. While both have been part of the same organization since 2021, Ziemmer and Parascak have only played 25 games together.

Rookie Reigning Supreme

Parascak has had quite the exciting draft year. He currently leads all rookies in the WHL in scoring. Moreover, he’s tied for second in the entire league with eight shorthanded points (4 G, 4 A). To add to his in-game impact, the winger is tied for eighth in the league in game-winning goals.

To emphasize how big his season has been, Prince George’s former rookie record in scoring was Brett Connolly with 60 points. Parascak passed the century mark.

Consistency Is Key

Parascak’s scoring isn’t just impressive because of the volume, but also his consistency. In 65 appearances, he registered at least a point in 50 of them. The dynamic winger only endured a single three-game and two-game scoreless streak. Aside from those two stretches, he never went scoreless more than once in a row.

Rankings by Independent Scouting Services

Ranked No 53 by McKeen’s Hockey. A subsequent article wrote, “Ultimately, it’s his ability to use and play off his teammates that has led to success. While his offensive numbers are super exciting, I wouldn’t expect them to stay at this level for the whole season. Even a point-per-game is impressive from a player who didn’t even play in the WHL last season. The trajectory he has shown is also worth mentioning. He hasn’t really even had time to figure out the WHL yet and here he is piling up points. Makes me wonder what’s in store as he gains more experience and hones his skills.”

Ranked No 26 by Scott Wheeler. “His off-puck timing and spatial awareness have so far defined his game, as he regularly gets into the right spots at the right time to bang home rebounds, tap-in backdoor passes or get out in transition to give his D a stretch option on outlets (without really cheating for it). He anticipates play offensively at a very high level, knows how to get open and play off of a driver (which Becher is), has a great wrister and one-touch shot from mid-range, always goes to the net when the play funnels there instead of hanging out wide, and has skill around the net and in tight to his body when challenged by defenders. He also uses his linemates well and has shown nice touch as a passer. He’s not a flashy skater (though I think he’s a better, more controlled skater than I and others realized after earlier viewings) or individual playmaker off the rush, but with timing and good skill, he makes things happen offensively.”

Ranked No. 36 by

Final Comments

The 5-foot-11 forward posts a common set of challenges when trying to analyze and project a trajectory going forward. Usually with smaller skaters, they need to compensate for their stature by having exceptional skating. Parascak doesn’t show consistently strong skating, though. There are times he needs to take extra strides to reach what appears to be a slightly underwhelming top speed. Yet, it is this skating deficiency which emphasizes how well he thinks the game, particularly on the penalty kill.

It speaks volumes when the coach trusts a rookie to play shorthanded. His ability to anticipate the play and break up plays stands out. He makes up for the skating, which is average at best, by positioning and reading the play.

His recognition of when to jump in on the play, as well as his puck moving skills, makes him a dual-threat upon joining the attack. Teammates who pay attention can find him exposing defensive seams, which allows Parascak to take a high-danger shot on net. Alternatively, the savvy forward can initiate entry then find a trailer, changing the point of attack. His lack of flashiness and physical play can cause him to fall under the radar.

Another notable quality is how he responds to disappointment. Formerly a fourth-round pick in the WHL Bantam Draft, Parascak was sent down to AAA hockey last season. The disappointment of yesteryear has helped inspire a level of play that’s eligible for rookie of the year during this campaign.

While player comparisons should always be viewed with a grain of salt, there are factors which can liken Parascak to Brayden Point. During their draft years, both players have similar stature with questionable skating issues, yet their hockey IQ was unquestioned. Point ended up falling to the third round in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Not that anyone should expect a career trajectory of an NHL all-star, but Parascak would be a low risk player even late into the first round.

Los Angeles loves two-way players; look no further than Anze Kopitar. Players like Travor Moore, Philip Danault, and Adrian Kempe have received plenty of ice time spanning multiple years, because coaches trust them in all situations. Parascak, after refining his skating technique and building strength, would be a great prospect to be part of the next wave of dependability.

Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.




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