Over the past few days, the leading storyline from the World Juniors has been Calgary Flames prospect and phenom, Zayne Parekh.
Not because he set a new tournament record for points by a Canadian defenceman. Not that he was selected to the tournament all-star team, or that he racked up the most goals, assists, and points by a defenceman, or was named a top-three player for Canada.
Because why would we talk about that when he talked about how he enjoys being able to be himself at the tournament instead of being a robot in the NHL?
It’s absolutely ridiculous and completely undeserved.
Where are the lies in Parekh’s comments?
First, let’s talk about the comment about robots. Here’s the full quote.
I think it’s more watching NHL guys be robots and not having any personality. I think you need some personality, and it’s the best way to grow the game. I don’t want to come in here and be a robot. When I’m in Calgary, I definitely have a lot of guys that are telling me to give really simple answers. But here I could kind of do what I want.
Zayne Parekh on how much fun he’s having at the World Juniors
Following this quote, it was reported that the Flames organization and players were not happy with what he said, including leaders Nazem Kadri and MacKenzie Weegar.
This prompted Parekh to apologize for his comments in the next interview, presumably because the Flames asked him to.
I think some things got spun out of proportion … probably worded things wrongly. But obviously it wasn’t my intent in the words I said, and I sincerely apologize to the Flames organization and my teammates. At the end of the day, that’s not acceptable and that can’t happen.
Zayne Parekh’s apology for calling NHL players robots
Candid honesty
Can we please just be honest here? Though this doesn’t apply to every single player, by and large, NHL players are robots. They display zero personality and give cookie-cutter answers. The stars aren’t marketable, which leads to fans not caring as much about individual players, which then hits the NHL’s bottom line. Look at the NBA and how its players—stars especially—are allowed to show off their personalities. It’s been phenomenal for the game, for fans, for intrigue, for drama. And that sells.
In the NHL? Oh no, you can’t do that. How dare you be anything more than an oatmeal cookie when you talk to the media? You want to be vocal and celebrate goals, be funny, play pranks, and talk about things on social media? Sorry, P.K. Subban, you’re traded.
You want to be an agitator and make the Flames a team that everyone hates to play and become a total fan favourite along the way? Sorry, Matthew Tkachuk, we “don’t want a riot every night.”
It’s exhausting to see veteran NHLers perpetuate this mantra of being “professional” in the media, when that’s not even what it’s about. The league needs more people like Parekh to break this robot mould, not fewer.
We need more podcasts like the one the Tkachuk brothers are doing, and we need more personal rivalries as we see in the NBA. We need more flair, fire, and drama.
Parekh didn’t say anything that wasn’t factually incorrect, or malicious, for that matter.
Some responses were great, but the media needs to amplify the right stories and stop harping on a non-issue.
Parekh should be the easiest player to market on the team
It seems like the Flames specifically told Parekh not to be himself in interviews when he was with the big club earlier this year.
I honestly can’t understand why anyone would think that was a good idea at any point.
Zayne Parekh should be the most marketable player on the team. He’s the player the entire organization should be working hard to amplify, build around, and promote.
He’s literally the best prospect the team has had in decades, and fans already adore him both on and off the ice. He’s a visible minority player with parents from two different backgrounds, which broadens his appeal not just among Flames fans but hockey fans globally.
He’s a super smart kid with an extroverted personality that clearly all his teammates at the World Juniors loved having around.
The Flames need to look in the mirror and understand why they can’t sell out the Saddledome, why season ticket sales are dropping, why a massive portion of the fanbase doesn’t even want them to win games right now, and where they stand in the grand scheme of the NHL.
The Flames have exhibited poor decision-making at several points this season, and it’s getting really frustrating.
Join the rest of us in 2026 and evolve to meet the needs of today’s hockey fan.
Stop muzzling the best young player the team has.
Stop getting in your own way.
