Parnham off to ECHL
Posted By DAVE DAWSON, SUN MEDIA
Posted 2 months ago
Orillia native Brett Parnham is on the move.
Parnham -- one of just two players to score 50-plus goals in the OHL a year ago; the other was a guy named John Tavares -- has signed a deal to play with the Utah Grizzlies. The pact culminates months of speculation about the future of the Oshawa Generals' star and captain whom Oshawa had been trying to trade as part of its rebuilding program.
"Utah is excited to have him and Brett is excited to make the transition to play professional hockey," said Stu Parnham, Brett's dad. "I think it's going to be a good fit for him."
Brett Parnham cut his teeth with the Jr. A. Huntsville Otters as a 15-year-old. In the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, the Sudbury Wolves selected the talented pivot as their first pick -- 13th overall. After a slow start, the Wolves dealt Parnham to Oshawa, where he evolved into one of their top players, skating alongside the likes of current NHL rookie phenoms John Tavares and Michael Del Zotto.
He leaves the Generals after playing 212 games; he scored 119 goals and added 89 assists during his tenure. He was also an on-ice leader and was named team captain after Tavares was traded to London last year.
But the 5'10" forward is considered small and many believe that kept him from being drafted into the NHL. However, he hopes his decision to join the East Coast Hockey League's Grizzlies will be a step in the NHL direction.
"Certainly, the NHL remains his goal," said Stu Parnham, who spoke on behalf of his son who was en route to Utah. "But first, he has to prove he can play at the pro level. What we've heard is it's a little faster and a little stronger than the OHL so he will have his work cut out for him."
The elder Parnham said the 20-year-old centre has fully recovered from a shoulder injury, is "in great shape" and is ready to play. "He will start practising with the team (today) but it will likely take 7-10 days to get his immigration papers in order before he can play," said Stu. "That will give him some time to get into game shape."
The Grizzlies, whose
coach and general manager is Kevin Colley, are in third place in the West division with an 8-4 record -- tied for sixth overall in the 20-team league.
Ironically, Colley once starred for the Generals and his father coached the Collingwood Blues a few years ago.
"This just seemed like the best set-up for Brett," said Stu, who noted other ECHL teams were interested in signing the former 50-goal scorer.
