The Washington Capitals announced they signed 2024 first-round draft selection Terik Parascak to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday. Washington picked the 18-year-old winger with the 17th overall selection in the first round.
Parascak is the first member of the team’s 2024 draft class to sign a contract. His deal, signed during the fourth and penultimate day of Development Camp, will see him paid $975,000 in the NHL and $85,000 in the AHL.
What a week for Terik
Get drafted in the First Round ✅
Participate in your first #CapsDevCamp ✅
Sign your first contract with #ALLCAPS ✅ pic.twitter.com/kcUx0Smfb6— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 5, 2024
In 68 games for the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Parascak amassed 105 points (43g, 62a) which was good for third-best on the team and eighth in the WHL. Parascak was teammates in Prince George with fellow Capitals prospect Zac Funk and future Hershey Bears defenseman Hudson Thornton.
All three players are currently at Development Camp and posed for a photo together after Parascak put pen to paper.
Terik Parascak was surrounded by his guys when he signed his contract with the @Capitals 🥹 pic.twitter.com/KfAwBEoeuN
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) July 5, 2024
Parascak burst onto the scene during the 2023-24 campaign, his first full year in Canadian major junior. He quickly rose to the top of the Cougars lineup, made the 2024 CHL All-Rookie Team, and earned the nickname the “Super Rookie” after leading all CHL rookies in points, goals, and assists.
“He is one of the smartest players I have ever coached with a desire to get better every day,” Cougars head coach Mark Lamb said in a press release. “He has earned this and the future is so exciting for the Prince George Cougars and Washington Capitals.”
Since the 2000-01 season, only Sam Gagner (118), Sidney Crosby (135), and Patrick Kane (145) have tallied more points as rookies in the CHL.
“I’m at such a loss for words,” Parascak said after being drafted. “It’s such an honor, just so excited for what’s coming.
“I really didn’t know what to expect and it was all kind of just play everything by ear. That was my whole year, just go with the flow of everything and I was definitely surprised but I couldn’t be more excited.”
Parascak told media at the draft in Las Vegas that he has long looked up to Capitals forward TJ Oshie, naming him as someone he has patterned his game after.
“Always thought of his game and similarities in mine, so I really enjoy watching him and that’s definitely one guy for sure,” Parascak said.
Parascak is expected to return to the WHL next season and likely be the top, returning scorer for the Cougars. He will also compete for a spot on Team Canada’s World Juniors squad.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have signed forward Terik Parascak to a three-year entry-level contract. Parascak's contract will carry an average annual value of $975,000.#ALLCAPS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 5, 2024
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Sign Terik Parascak
2024 first-round pick signs three-year entry-level contract
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Terik Parascak to a three-year entry-level contract, president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Parascak’s contract will carry an average annual value of $975,000.
The Capitals selected Parascak, 18, with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 6’0”, 173-pound forward recorded 105 points (43g, 62a) in 68 games with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2023-24 season. Parascak, who was named to the 2024 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) All-Rookie Team and the WHL B.C. Division Second All-Star Team, led CHL rookies in goals and points and ranked eighth among all WHL skaters in scoring. Parascak’s 105 points were the most by a CHL rookie since Patrick Kane (145 points) and Sam Gagner (118 points) in 2006-07 and the fourth most since 2000-01, trailing only Kane, Gagner and Sidney Crosby (2003-04: 135 points). In addition, Parascak ranked fourth in the WHL in plus-minus (+49), tied for fourth in shorthanded goals (4), tied for ninth in goals and tied for 12th in assists. The Lethbridge, Alberta native added 14 points (6g, 8a) in 12 playoff games, helping Prince George reach the WHL Western Conference Final.
Parascak attended Edge School Prep Academy of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL U18), where he finished the 2022-23 season ranked second in the league in goals (32) and points (66) in 30 games played. In addition, Parascak led the league with 12 points (6g, 6a) in five playoff games en route to the CSSHL Under-18 championship.
Parascak was ranked third among North American right wings and 15th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
