[MissTeeks]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1940538578591010838

asked if he felt better equipped than last year to stick with the big club, the uber-confident saginaw star smiled.

“i mean, if i didn't, i wouldn't probably believe in myself,” said parekh, who left his first training camp in calgary “humbled” before being sent down for another stellar junior campaign.

“i didn't have a lot of time last year to prepare for camp, and i was in over my head. Especially when you're kind of nervous and, [thinking] ‘hopefully i don't mess up or make a mistake,’ you're kind of attracting those thoughts, and it's gonna come.

“so, i think this time around, i'm more confident. I mean, i got a taste at the end, i understand kind of what it takes to play in the nhl. I got a little grasp of it, so hopefully that'll help.”

“i think there was an opportunity (to make the flames) last year too, but i wasn't ready for it,” said parekh, who punctuated his junior playoff ousting with the one-game flames showing, followed by some exhibition action overseas with canada at the world championship.

“being around the guys last year, i kind of realized i'm meant for this, i belong. And i noticed that kind of in the first couple days of practicing with them, it wasn't too much to handle or anything. I fit in. And you’ve got to go from fitting in, to kind of taking another step there, being a guy that drives pace.

“obviously i'm still young, and it'll come with time.”

and the fact that he rebounded from a tough showing with a 33-goal, 107-point season in 61 games, not to mention his flames debut, has calgary director of player development, ray edwards, all smiles.

“he learned so much from that experience, and then coming in at the end and being around everybody for that period of time and then playing a game, his confidence level is high,” said edwards, overseeing the team’s top 24 prospects as they spent the first of two days skating at winsport wednesday.

“he had a great showing at the worlds, too, so he has every reason to feel good about his game.”