Flames’ Parekh ‘confident’ off-season work will set up success

So, the 20-year-old defenceman turned to former Flame Gary Roberts to push the issue.

“I think I'm like close to 191 pounds right now, so I had a really good off-season,” said the six-foot defenceman, who is listed at 179 pounds in the NHL’s official bio.

“Working out with Gary Roberts was a big adjustment this summer. A lot of stuff I wasn't used to, but I think I had a really good summer.”

With every big hit Parekh took last season while trying to make plays, management grew increasingly concerned for his safety as an undersized rookie.

He eventually suffered an upper body injury after a clean hit by Nick Foligno, which sidelined him for a month as part of a season he’d, quite frankly, like to forget.

“I don't really care too much about that anymore,” said the talented first rounder when asked how he’d sum up last year.

“I think I feel really confident and really good about my game right now, and feel really good about how my body feels and how I feel on the ice. I think that's all that matters.”

Indeed, for a youngster who had confidence issues he’d previously never experienced, moving forward is the healthiest approach — a tack made easier by the fact that he finished the final month of the season playing with the type of swagger he seemed to regain at the World Juniors.

“I think me and Griddy (Matvei Gridin) took big steps after the trade deadline,” said Parekh, who had four goals and three assists in his last 14 games.

“If you look at our last 10 games or that stretch of hockey, we played some really good hockey, and we were winning games.”

Parekh certainly has the potential to be the most exciting of all the young prospects in the organization.

The key is to simply get out there and play — stop worrying about the outside noise and expectations.

“I haven't felt like this in the previous two years — I just feel comfortable and confident,” said Parekh.

“It doesn't really feel like there's any pressure on me, or any expectation. I just feel normal again, and it's a nice feeling to get back to.”