Being signed by your local NHL team can be an honor. For 20-year-old Ottawa native Jackson Parsons, it happened when the Ottawa Senators signed the goaltender to a three-year contract.
Parsons made significant strides in just one season with the Kitchener Rangers last season in the OHL. It was then time to make the jump to the AHL with the Belleville Senators.
At the start of this season, Parsons wasn't on the opening night roster for Belleville. Due to injuries, Parsons got called up to the AHL and has been incredible ever since.
Parsons off to hot AHL start
Mads Sogaard got injured in Belleville's game on Oct. 26. Looking to find goaltending, Belleville called up Leevi Merilainen to get some AHL action, but called up Parsons as well.
Parsons got to make his AHL debut on Nov. 8 against the Hartford Wolf Pack in Belleville. Since then, Parsons' game has continued to rise.
In his AHL debut, Parsons made 30 saves to help Belleville earn a 2-1 win against Hartford. Making 30 saves in your AHL debut is definitely a strong standout for Parsons. However, it got better for Parsons.
This past Saturday, Parsons got the start against the Syracuse Crunch. Even with it being his first road start, Parsons wasn't intimidated. Parsons finished the game by making 34 saves to help Belleville earn a 5-1 win.
Both starts Parsons has had this season have resulted in allowing in one goal and earning the win. Parsons has an incredible .970 save percentage. Certainly, Parsons has quickly risen into one of the Senators' top prospects and can have shades of Merilainen's fast improvement from last season.
Parsons had the chance this season to stand out as Belleville's top goaltender. Even though it has been two starts, Parsons has made a quick jump to be the number one goaltender. With his AHL experience, Parons has a good mentor to learn from in Hunter Shepard.
Now, Parsons will be eager to be even better with having two incredible starts in Belleville.