Colton Parayko is a hometown boy who remembers his hockey roots.
The National Hockey League defenceman with the St. Louis Blues was back in St. Albert on Friday to play in the second annual Merch Madness Cup tournament at the Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club less than three weeks after competing at the IIHF World Championship with Team Canada.
The tournament all-star for the silver medallists also golfed in last year’s event in support of the St. Albert Merchants Hockey Club.
“One of the things I look forward to the most every year is when I come back because obviously I grew up with a lot of these people and the community has always been great. There are so many good people in the community and it’s always fun when you get the opportunity to see people you haven’t seen in awhile,” said Parayko, who was striking the ball with the same authority as his cannon-like slap shots.
“It’s been seven years since I left home for Fort McMurray (in the Alberta Junior Hockey League) and then up to Alaska (with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks) and now two years in St. Louis. It’s happened so fast that you just realize how important the time is when you get to see some of these people and whenever you get the opportunity to do some of these tournaments and see people you haven’t seen for awhile, people you’ve played with over the years and parents you've known, it’s kind of cool to get back to that and just get out enjoy the day.”
At six-foot-six and 226 pounds, Parayko is a pretty big deal as a rising star in the NHL. The 2016 All-Rookie team selection played in last year’s World Cup of Hockey with the U23 Team North America and after the Blues were eliminated in the playoffs in May he answered the call for Canada at worlds in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany.
The former bantam AAA Sabre, midget 15 Flyer and midget AA Crusader with the St. Albert Raiders Hockey Club wired three goals, all on the power play, on 15 shots, added four assists and was plus-two in six games for Canada.
In 160 NHL games with the Blues, Parayko has compiled 13 goals and 55 assists and in 31 playoff games has four goals and eight assists.
The third-round (86th overall) pick of the Blues in the 2012 NHL entry draft and eighth-place finisher in Calder Trophy voting for the NHL’s rookie of the year as the second-highest vote getter among defencemen talked about his success after tearing up the Sturgeon links.
After two NHL seasons, is it still a whirlwind experience?
Parayko: “To an extent. It’s still pretty special to be in the position that I am. Obviously, last year everything happened so fast. The season kind of went by super quick. Even this year it blew by really quick as well but everything has been a lot of fun and we’ve had some good teams.
“At the same time, you look back and it’s kind of cool to put yourself in that situation because as a kid you’ve always dreamed of playing in the NHL. During the season you’re in the moment but after the season you kind of get a couple of days to look back and it’s pretty cool to be part of for sure.”
The world championship must have been a tremendous thrill and perhaps another confidence booster?
Parayko: “They pretty much told me shoot the puck whenever I get the chance and I guess I did that. It’s a bigger ice surface especially in the O-zone so you have a little bit more time to do that.
“You’ve got to, I guess, take advantage of your opportunities especially if you go all the way there. It was a lot of fun to join that group even though I joined halfway through (the tournament) and our team was very good.
“One of the things I liked the most is you kind of get to learn from new players and a new coaching staff because you play a full season or two with the same group of guys. Every player has different tendencies and when you kind of learn off those guys it’s pretty fun.
So, where is your silver medal?
Parayko: “I don’t have it on me right now. It’s currently in my hockey bag, which Hockey Canada will ship to my house. It’s coming.”
Did you feel more at ease this season after your successful rookie debut?
Parayko: “A little bit. There are a lot of things that just comes with it, starting with you in the league. You learn about the players that you’re playing with first and then obviously the players that you’re playing against and their different tendencies.
“I also wanted to start taking on a bigger role and start being a guy they can look to if need to or in any situation.”
You’re a restricted free agent (the former Alaska-Fairbanks captain signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Blues after his junior season in March of 2015) and there are teams interested in signing you (like the Toronto Maple Leafs with an offer sheet). What’s it like to be in that position?
Parayko: “I haven’t heard much about it yet but from my standpoint and the team’s standpoint it’s a thing that we’re just trying to get it done the proper way. Obviously, St. Louis still has my rights and I’m restricted with them. I love playing there and it’s where I’m going to try and go back to for sure.”
How cool was the World Cup of Hockey?
Parayko: “You’re with a lot of great players on that team, just like at worlds. It’s exactly the same thing just to see that kind of skill level and to be part of that is pretty special.
“It was at the beginning of the season so you kind of hit the season running almost with a head start in a sense. It was definitely well worth it because any time you can get the chance to play with those players, and even play against some of those teams that we played against because obviously they were special teams, it was a lot off fun and exciting. I was very fortunate and happy to be part of it.”
When do you resume training?
Parayko: “I already have. I took a couple of weeks off (after worlds) and then I kind of get a run at it slowly again. Next week is pretty much when I’m going to hit it full force again and get ready for next season.
“I work through the strength coach in St. Louis but I do the training here for most of it. I’m going to pop into St. Louis a couple of times this summer just to check in and see how I’m doing and then I will go at the beginning of August, a month before camp, to skate every second day or whatever to make sure that everything is taken care of and make sure I get a good start on training camp.”
