Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Flames injury news: Zayne Parekh ‘a little bit banged up’ following World Juniors

Originally posted on Flamesnation | By Ryan Pike | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 5:00 PM ET

After a pretty successful World Juniors that saw him set records and capture a bronze medal, Zayne Parekh rejoined the Calgary Flames on Wednesday and participated in an optional morning skate at Bell Centre in Montreal.

However, it might be a bit of a wait before #19 suits up with the Flames and gets back into NHL game action, according to Flames head coach Ryan Huska’s comments to the media (via Flames TV).

“At some point,” said Huska. “He did get a little bit banged up in that tournament so he’s being kind of evaluated by our people here this morning.”

It’s worth noting that Parekh took a big hit in the third period of Sunday’s semi-final game between Canada and Czechia. He went back to the locker room area to be attended to, but he returned to the game.

Zayne Parekh has exited Canada-Czechia with an apparent injury. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/pyW7B028bP

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2026

Parekh suited up for Canada in the bronze medal game against Finland on Monday, but Postmedia’s Wes Gilbertson noted on Monday’s edition of Flames Talk (and subsequently on social media on Wednesday) that there was some question about his status for the bronze medal game.

The 19-year-old Parekh was a first-round selection by the Flames, ninth overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft. He’s put together one heck of a resume since joining the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit as a rookie in 2022. He had back-to-back 33 goal seasons, the first in Ontario major junior since Bobby Orr did it decades ago in the old OHA. He had 107 points in 2024-25, the first 100 point performance in the OHL since Ryan Ellis did it in 2010-11. He won a Memorial Cup with Saginaw in 2024. He set the Canadian record for points by a defenceman in a single World Junior tournament and tied the Canadian record for goals by a defenceman in a single World Junior tournament.

Right now, the Flames have a full 23 man roster and are carrying eight defencemen on their active roster, including Parekh. That means that if Parekh isn’t at 100%, they don’t need to rush him into game action and can make sure he’s feeling confident and healthy before they unleash him back onto the NHL. He last played in the NHL back on Nov. 7, when he was injured on a hit from Chicago’s Nick Foligno and missed just over a month of action before being loaned to the Canadian national junior team.

The Flames kick off a five game road trip on Wednesday night in Montreal.

This article first appeared on Flamesnation and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: