Apparently, Zayne Parekh’s recent comments about NHL players being robots and the Calgary Flames telling him not to have too much personality in his media interviews have caused a stir among his teammates at the Flames. As Parekh tries to help Team Canada win gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship, he may have some explaining to do when he returns to Calgary.
“Players, coaching staff and management are aware… His team and teammates were not enthusiastic (about the comments), a number of sources reported, including Flames Talk Postgame with Pat Steinberg.
Team Canada general manager Al Millar met with the media after today’s optional practice and noted that Parekh is a character, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He was great for Team Canada during the tournament and is one point away from tying the tournament record for points by defensemen.
Steinberg explained:
“Here’s what I can tell you: The Flames players are aware of it. The coaching staff and management are aware of it as well. I think there’s a real understanding that we’re talking about a 19-year-old who has matured a lot in a short period of time. From what I understand after talking to a few people, his teammates aren’t mad at him. If anything, they’ll kind of give it back to him and say, ‘Hey, this is why you don’t say something like that in the future.’ But it comes from a supportive place: he’s still their teammate and they want to build him up.”
He added that the message is actually: “Maybe don’t say something like that next time because it could be misinterpreted.” “But it’s not toxic or negative. It’s a learning opportunity.”
Is this just Parekh being immature?
Steinberg added, “I don’t even like the word ‘immature’ here. I don’t think that’s right. If anything, it’s about inexperience – especially when it comes to the media and the NHL, where things can be blown out of proportion quickly.” He noted that Parekh will likely learn that what he says is only amplified by social media.
This is not a situation where he becomes alienated. It’s just another learning experience for a 19-year-old hockey navigation pro.
Next: Do the Maple Leafs have a Morgan Rielly problem?
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