Prospect Talk: Parascak Continues Development for NHL Role
Former Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan took care of the team for one more offseason, before handing the reins over to new GM Chris Patrick. One of those responsibilities was running his last NHL draft. The Capitals held the 17th pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. They could have gone in a few different directions with their selection. Washington chose winger Terik Parascak of the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL). There are a few interesting points about the new Capitals prospect for fans to know.
Parascak’s Junior Hockey Background
Parascak joined the Cougars and only played in four regular-season games for the 2022-23 season. Additionally, he played in one postseason game for Prince George as well. He did not register any points throughout that entire campaign. His first real WHL season came last year in 2023-24. Parascak suited up in 68 games for the Cougars. He scored 43 goals and registered 62 assists for 105 points. His 105 points had him finish third on the team in scoring. Only Zac Funk (123 points) and Riley Heidt (117) had more.
Parascak also produced in the 2024 playoffs for Prince George. In 12 postseason games, Parascak tallied six goals and eight assists for 14 points. He provided offensive depth in his first WHL playoff run. His 14 points in that postseason had him top-five on the roster in points. His teammates who were ahead of him in the 2024 playoffs statistically were Ondrej Becher (19 points in 15 games), Riley Heidt (19 points in 15 games), Zac Funk (18 points in 15 games), and Hudson Thornton (15 points in 15 games).
Parascak Has Teammate Familiarity with Funk and Thornton
Parascak is not the only Prince George Cougar in the Washington Capitals’ system. His teammate Zac Funk signed with the Capitals as an undrafted free agent on March 1. Funk not only led the Cougars in points with 123 points (67 goals and 56 assists), but he also finished second in the whole WHL. Only Jagger Firkus of the Moose Jaw Warriors had more points with 126.
If Parascak and Funk were not enough from the Prince George Cougars, Washington also has defenseman Hudson Thornton in their system as well. The former Cougars captain signed a contract with the Capitals’ AHL affiliate Hershey Bears on April 10. Last season for Prince George, Thornton scored 18 goals and registered 56 assists for 74 points in 68 games. He also scored six goals and tallied nine assists for 15 points in 15 postseason games for the Cougars.
