The Capitals Made An Interesting Call & Drafted Parascak Earlier Than Expected. He's Eager To Prove Them Right

LAS VEGAS — For Terik Parascak, the 2023-24 season was about "just playing everything by ear." The 2024 NHL Draft was somewhat the same way; he was projected to go later in the first round but found himself standing up at 17th after being selected by the Washington Capitals.

For Parascak, it came as a bit of a surprise, evident by the gasp he let out when he heard his name called. After all, he'd been projected to go later in the first round or early in the second.

His interviews with the Capitals had gone well, though, and as he slid the jersey on, he was able to take it all in.

"Just the whole experience, I really didn't know what to expect... I was definitely surprised, but I couldn't be any more excited," Parascak said, adding of the Capitals, "I thought there was some interest, for sure... I'm at such a loss for words."

Parascak, the No. 15 ranked North American skater, is coming off a whirlwind of a rookie year in the WHL that put him very much on the radar as he put up a record 105 points with 43 goals and 62 assists with the Prince George Cougars.

It wasn't an easy road for the 6-foot, 176-pound winger, though. Just a year before busting out onto the scene, Parascak was playing prep hockey at Edge School. He'd gotten five games up at the WHL level, but was a step behind his fellow prospects as he was told he needed more time at the lower level.

"It was definitely hard at the time, but definitely understood the whole process, and I really wasn't in a position where I would get enough ice time to really develop my skills," Parascak admitted. "They didn't want to really ruin my development that way and opted to send me back and build tons of confidence... I've been able to come into this season and do better."

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"Do better" is a bit of an understatement; he exploded offensively, leading the charge for the Cougars.

"I think a lot of it came down to work I put in in the offseason," Parscak noted. "I think understanding what it takes to jump to a junior level like that, I got a little taste for it the year before and just kind of took that information and took it into that last year."

Parascak dazzled with his scoring and playmaking ability, as well as his awareness, high hockey IQ and ability to get to the right place at the right time. He goes all out when he plays, and he's also a strong two-way player who earns his responsibility.

When it comes to his game, he compared himself to a familiar face in D.C.: T.J. Oshie, and explained that one of his biggest assets was his versatility.

"The kind of player I am, I can play a lot of different roles. I think that offensive side of my game for sure and I think this year I definitely developed that defensive side. I can play on the penalty kill, I can be trusted in those late minutes in the game to get pucks out of the zone and defend the lead as well... I can put the puck in the net, but I also feel like that threat of me being a scorer allows me to be a better playmaker."

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When it comes to areas of his game to improve, Parascak said he's looking forward to adding more strength and improving his skating. And from there, the potential is huge.

Regardless, he's looking forward to putting in the work and show the Capitals that they made the right decision — and he'll do whatever it takes to have an impact, too.

"Everything that I've been through so far has been a learning experience," Parascak said, alluding to the numerous times he was cut and how he was able to persevere and get stronger from it. "(That experience) kind of shaped me into the person and player I am. Nothing's ever going to be given to you. You have to earn everything and everything happens for a reason."