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.