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ARLINGTON, Va. — Terik Parascak has come a long way in the past two years.

Instead of joining Prince George of the Western Hockey League, the forward, who was 16 years old at the time in 2022-23, was sent back to prep hockey. However, he made a remarkable comeback in the 2023-24 season in the WHL and was eventually chosen by the Washington Capitals as the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on June 28.

The detour turned out to be advantageous for the 18-year-old player, as he excelled in Prince George with an impressive record of 105 points (43 goals, 62 assists) across 68 games last season. This achievement placed him as the eighth-highest scorer in the WHL.

“Returning to the Edge School Prep Academy of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL U18) for the 2022-23 season was undeniably challenging, but I fully comprehended the entire process,” explained Parascak. During that season, he showcased his exceptional skills by ranking second in the league’s scoring chart with an impressive 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) in just 30 games.

He explained, “I wasn’t given enough opportunities to showcase my skills and enhance my abilities, and I didn’t want to jeopardize my growth in that manner. Returning me back provided me with the chance to boost my confidence significantly, enabling me to enter this year and accomplish what I have.”

Parascak’s achievements in his rookie season were impressive, as he was honored with a spot on the 2024 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) All-Rookie Team and the WHL B.C. Division Second All-Star Team. Notably, he topped the charts among CHL rookies in goals and points, amassing an impressive total of 105 points. These numbers make him the highest-scoring CHL rookie since Patrick Kane (145 points) and Sam Gagner (118 points) in the 2006-07 season.

In just his first four games, he managed to find the back of the net eight times, leading to one of Prince George’s broadcasters dubbing him the “Super Rookie.”

Parascak stated, “Undoubtedly, it’s an incredibly awesome nickname. However, it did become tiresome over time. I’m not particularly fond of all the attention, but having such a nickname is undeniably cool.”

During the recent Capitals development camp, he teamed up with forward Ryan Leonard, who was chosen by Washington as the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, to participate in the 3-on-3 tournament. Their victorious performance in the event offered Capitals fans in attendance a potential sneak peek into what the future holds.

Leonard expressed his admiration for Parascak’s playing style, stating, “I really appreciate how he plays.” He enjoyed the experience of playing alongside him in a 3-on-3 match and acknowledged their successful connection on a few occasions. Leonard sympathetically mentioned that Parascak had an unfortunate shot that hit the crossbar, but overall, he regarded him as an exceptional player.

Parascak stated that a significant portion of his summer will be dedicated to working out at the gym.

“Although he performed exceptionally at the combine, there is still room for physical growth and strength enhancement,” commented Ross Mahoney, assistant general manager of Washington. “Once he becomes stronger, his skating abilities will further elevate.”

Parascak has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on July 5 and will now participate in training camp with the Capitals. However, it is expected that he will return to Prince George, where he will have to manage the pressures that come with his newfound status.

He expressed that there is some pressure that comes with being a first-round pick. However, he also mentioned that he plans to embrace the experience and trust that the organization will provide support. He eagerly anticipates dedicating himself to hard work and eventually becoming a part of the team.