Since being picked 17th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Terik Parascak’s been open about how much it means to live out his childhood dream.
That continued Sunday when Parascak made his NHL preseason debut against the Philadelphia Flyers and put on a Washington Capitals jersey for the first time at Capital One Arena.
“It was a pretty crazy experience to go out there and see the rink and the fans out there,” Parascak said. “It was a really cool first game experience.”
When asked if his heart rate stabilized or calmed down at any point in the game, Parascak responded purely, “I don’t think it ever did. I think just the whole atmosphere and waiting for this moment, I don’t think it ever did.”
As he worked through his butterflies, Parascak had no shots on goal but had a game-high 9 individual shot attempts (3 scoring chances and 2 high-danger opportunities) in 14:58 of ice time. In the second period, Parascak registered his first career NHL preseason point, a primary assist on an Ivan Miroshnichenko power-play goal, narrowing the Flyers’ lead to 3-2 late in the second period.
“It’s obviously super cool to get a point like that, and obviously wish you could have got a win there and battled throughout the whole game.” Parascak said.
He also notched the milestone point in front of his parents and sister.
A big welcome to the Parascak family and the NoVa native Limoges family!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/UcWmdXq5TJ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 22, 2024
“It’s super special for them to be able to have been here for the whole camp and just have their support and know that they’re here watching it,” Parascak said. “It means a lot.”
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was encouraged by how assertive the 18-year-old was in his first appearance for the team when the bright lights could have been intimidating.
“Got a point, had a lot of shots,” Carbery said. “Yeah I thought early on he made a couple wall plays that I noticed. He was noticeable and again, young player, there’s a couple mistakes that I can remember but… I thought he did a good job.”
The 6-2 loss was an eye-opening experience as Parascak competed against a veteran Flyers club that iced most of the team’s Opening Night lineup. The game illustrated to him what he needs to work on back in junior with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
“I think just the pace of play everything’s quicker,” Parascak said. “You got to make quicker decisions. You got to keep your foot moving at all times and obviously bigger body so put on a little bit of strength and be ready to compete every shift.”
The last week-plus has been a whirlwind for Parascak as he’s participated in a four-day Rookie Camp and then joined the team’s veterans at MedStar Capitals Iceplex for his first NHL Training Camp. Wide-eyed, Parascak was “toe-dragged” by Alex Ovechkin during his first rep at camp and took rushes on the same line as the Capitals’ captain at Saturday’s skate, describing it as “nerve-racking” and “super cool.”
Parascak said his experience with the Capitals has given him “tons of confidence.” Parascak will play another preseason game, Tuesday at TD Garden against the Boston Bruins, before at some point being cut and returned to junior. There, he will look to improve on his 43-goal, 105-point effort from the year before where he earned the nickname “Super Rookie.”
“I just kind of tried to come in here with a learning mindset of learning from the older guys, how their day to day is and what it takes to be ready on a game day and what it takes to do out there on the ice.”
