‘Two great kids’: Pair of rookies make Calgary Flames’ opening-day roster

The Calgary Flames will open the season with a pair of 19-year-olds—Zayne Parekh and Matvei Gridin got the good news Monday morning.

The Calgary Flames will open the 2025-26 season with a pair of 19-year-olds.

Defenceman Zayne Parekh and forward Matvei Gridin got the good news on Monday morning after practice that they’re here to start the season.

Gridin was selected in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2024 NHL entry draft and has been impressive in the pre-season, scoring three goals.

Gridin says making the grade means a lot.

“Feels great,” he said.

“I’m happy to make the team, and we’ll see how it goes, but I’m just happy for now. Had a good camp, so I’d probably say I earned it, but I would say surprised because I’m 19, but at the same time I was ready for that.”

Many figured Parekh was a lock to make it.

He was selected in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2024 draft.

Parekh is also happy to make it to the NHL but knows he has a lot of work ahead of him.

“There’s always someone hungrier or someone chasing you from behind,” said Parekh.

“There’s a lot of work to be done. The goal for me wasn’t just to be an NHL player but to be a pretty good one and play for a long time.”

Preaching patience

Head coach Ryan Huska says you have to be patient with younger players, especially defencemen.

He says that maybe Parekh will sit out games from time to time.

“They have to know that we believe in them, and they’ll come back in,” said Huska.

“We want them to use this break, and there’s a purpose for it. As long as the communication is good with the player, they’ll understand that. It’s not like us feeling if he misses a game or two it’s the end of the world. That’s not it at all; we’re looking at this guy as a long-term, elite player for us.”

Good for the kids

Veteran players congratulated both rookies after practice.

Defenceman MacKenzie Weegar says having two youngsters in the lineup will give the team some energy.

“Two great kids,” said Weegar.

“Not only are they great players, but they’re also great people. They should be extremely proud of themselves because they’ve earned it, and they’re going to be big pieces for our group moving forward.

“I’m excited to see the process in their journey, but (it’s an) exciting day for those two and their families.”