The 19-year-old, drafted ninth overall in 2024, was paired with veteran Jake Bean on the first day of training camp — an early indicator that the franchise will ease him into his new surroundings and not rush his development. Zayne Parekh missed rookie camp because of an injury, but skated the full session with the main group on Thursday morning.

“Taking a step in the right direction each day,” he said, adding that he’s about 90 per cent health-wise and expects to play when the Flames host the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday in preseason action.

“Last camp, I was coming in and soaking everything in. This time around, I’m trying to push for a job.”

He said he’s already seen Calgarians with his No.89 jersey, despite the fact that he only made his NHL debut and scored in the final game of last season. His approach is rooted in both embracing the massive spotlight he’s under while remembering to still be a kid.

“I want this,” he said.

“I asked for this. This is why I do it…I’m 19. Whatever happens, happens. There’s more to life than hockey. Just try to enjoy it and have fun with it.”

Parekh and veteran blueliner MacKenzie Weegar had a long chat at the team’s wrap-up party in April, a conversation Parekh valued. Weegar feels Parekh has the mental makeup to thrive in a passionate hockey market.

“I think he loves it,” he said.

“I think he loves the eyes on him. He’s got that swag to him. That pressure on him, I think he wants that…he’s a top prospect for a reason. If I can make him feel comfortable, I’ll help him with whatever he needs…you can tell out there that he wants to be in the spotlight.”

Much has changed for Parekh in the past 15 months since he became the highest-drafted Flames defenceman since Dion Phaneuf back in 2003.

He joined Bobby Orr as the second OHL defenceman ever to have multiple seasons of 30 or more goals. Parekh assumed a leadership role on a Saginaw Spirit group that lost in the first round of the playoffs after winning the Memorial Cup the season prior. He took pride in the leadership role he assumed with the club.

“I became a pretty good leader,” he said.

“Trying to pull guys into the fight…a lot of guys in my position would probably just have hung it up and wouldn’t have tried so they could have gone to the AHL or NHL, but I really stuck it out and was pretty determined to keep playing as long as I could there.”

Over the summer, he admitted to recent humbling experiences that pushed him to evolve.

“Some things happen, it’s better to learn young than kind of grow up and have to change those things when I’m 35,” he said in July.

Parekh has also integrated himself amongst other Flames prospects. Despite not participating in rookie camp, he was a fixture at Saddledome skates and was seen interacting with fellow rookies.

“I don’t want them to think [I’m] better than them or I’m favoured in any way,” he said.

Despite the high hopes for him, his teammates and coach want Parekh to remain 19 years old. They don’t want him to burden himself with high expectations. The organization will be fine with the inevitable growing pains as they try to manage his development during a season where playoffs remain the expectation.

“I don’t think Zayne should feel any undue pressure on having to be the saviour coming in,” head coach Ryan Huska said.

“That’s not it at all…we’re so excited about this guy’s future. It’s our job as a coaching staff to help him along the way. If a young man thinks he’s gotta satisfy this, this, and this, no he doesn’t. He’s just got to come and play his game.”

His career will take off soon enough.

“Before you know it, you’ll be an old guy like me, so I hope he just has a great time and enjoys his [second] training camp,” Weegar said.

As much as Parekh enjoyed his time in Saginaw, he’s trying to move forward.

“I really don’t want to go back to junior this year,” Parekh said.

“I love the expectations that are put on me.”