The Washington Capitals returned Terik Parascak to the WHL’s Prince George Cougars on Tuesday after the Capitals’ 2024 first-round pick spent the last few weeks in the District gaining “tons of confidence” at Rookie Camp and Training Camp.
The 18-year-old winger’s first game back was on Wednesday against the Kelowna Rockets. He immediately picked up where he left off last season, recording three points (2g, 1a) in his WHL season debut. Parascak skated on the team’s top line with Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt and Borya Valis.
Tonight's line-up at Kelowna!#ForTheNorth • #WHL pic.twitter.com/87gAleqhYx
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) October 3, 2024
Point 1 (Primary assist)
Parascak’s first point of the night, a primary assist, came on the Cougars’ first goal — a power-play marker by Riley Heidt 12:45 into the first period. Behind the net, Parascak set up Heidt for a one-timer from the left faceoff circle to make it 1-0.
Point 2 (Goal)
After Kelowna took the lead with goals from Utah HC draft pick Tij Iginla and Michael Cicek, Parascak scored his first goal of the season at 3:43 of the third period to tie the game 2-2. The Cougars’s top line combined on a 3-on-2 rush where Heidt sent a between-the-legs dish to Parascak for another one-timer goal.
Point 3 (Goal 2)
Parascak scored his second goal of the period after receiving another nice pass from Heidt, finding the back of the net from the slot.
Prince George would go on to beat Kelowna 5-2 and Parascak earned First Star of the Game honors. Parascak’s line combined for 9 points (3g, 6a) in the game.
The line Riley Heidt, Terik Parascak, and Borya Valis combined for NINE points tonight in our 5-2 win over the Kelowna Rockets!
Recap and reaction from Associate Coach Jim Playfair!https://t.co/Fh4c2sxE6g#ForTheNorth • #WHL pic.twitter.com/uq55xpHHC0
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) October 3, 2024
“I’m thrilled to be back,” Parascak said Wednesday. “Obviously, to get to see the boys again today, it was nice to see everyone’s faces and talk to the boys about our experiences and how the season has been going so far. I’m really excited to be back.”
The 2024-25 campaign will be Parascak’s second in the WHL after making a big splash last year. Parascak scored 105 points (43g, 62a) in 68 games, rising to the top of Prince George’s lineup and earning the nickname “Super Rookie.” The winger led all CHL rookies in points, goals, and assists en route to making the 2024 CHL All-Rookie Team.
Parascak was selected by Washington with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and remained with the team through two major rounds of cuts at his first Training Camp. He played in one preseason game for the Capitals, registering a primary assist in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on September 22.
“Yeah, it was unbelievable just even getting to that rink, and you walk out onto that bench and it feels like you’re in a video game as a kid,” Parascak said. “It’s unbelievable just to be in the building, and then warmups is another step up, and you see the fans by the glass. It’s super cool. Obviously, the game is a whole different game. It’s so much faster, higher-paced. It’s completely different than junior and it was a really good experience for me.”
Prince George will be back in action on Friday night against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Parascak had eight points (2g, 6a) in four games against Seattle last season.
