OHL Saginaw Spirit

Parekh Takes OHL Player of the Week Honors, Zhilkin Claims Rookie of the Week

Published on January 27, 2025 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin (right)
Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin (right)
(Saginaw Spirit, Credit: Natalie Shaver - OHL Images)

Toronto, Ont. - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, registering five goals, three assists and eight points over three contests.

Parekh opened the week with an assist on Thursday in an 8-6 loss to the Peterborough Petes. He followed up with a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 7-6 shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday, earning third star honours. On Sunday, Parekh delivered a dominant outing, scoring his second hat trick of the season and adding an assist for a four-point afternoon, leading the Spirit to a 7-2 win over the Ottawa 67's and earning first star honours. With 15 points in his last five games, Parekh crossed the 20-goal plateau for a third straight season.

The 18-year-old from Nobleton, Ont. ranks second among OHL blueliners in points this season with 59 (21-38-59) in 39 games. Selected ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 185lb. defenceman has amassed a club record among blueliners of 192 points (75-117-192) in 155 regular season games for Saginaw since being drafted 19th overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Parekh has also recorded 20 points (8-12-20) in 24 playoff games, highlighted by being crowned a 2024 Memorial Cup champion as part of the host team. Additionally, he earned both OHL and CHL Defenceman of the Year honours in 2024.

Additionally, the league announced Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin is the OHL Rookie of the Week, recording a goal and five assists over three games played.

Zhilkin opened the week with a goal and an assist on Thursday in an 8-6 loss to the Peterborough Petes. He continued his strong play on Friday, contributing two assists in a 7-6 shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs. The 5-foot-9, 160lb. right-winger capped the week with another two assists in a 7-2 win over the Ottawa 67's on Sunday.

Selected 19th overall by Saginaw in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16 AAA program, the Toronto native is excelling in his rookie campaign, tallying 23 points (7-16-23) in 30 games this season.

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Images from this story

Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin (right)
Saginaw Spirit forward Dimian Zhilkin (right)
(Natalie Shaver - OHL Images)		   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2025


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