Devils Sign Skilled, Underdog Prospect Forward to Entry-Level Contract

The New Jersey Devils announced on Friday that they’ve signed forward Xavier Parent to a one-year, entry-level contract.

Source: Devils KHL Prospect Weighs NHL Decision (+)

It’s Parent’s first contract that has NHL ties, after playing on an American Hockey League contract with the Utica Comets for the last three seasons.

Parent is an undrafted prospect that signed with the Comets following his final season in the QMJHL. Utica was drawn to the 5-foot-8 forward after he put together an elite campaign in 2021-22, scoring 106 points (51 goals, 55 assists), serving as the captain of the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

Parent rode that wave of momentum to the postseason, collecting 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 11 games.

The native of Laval, Canada then spent time between the AHL and the ECHL playing for the Adirondack Thunder. After scoring at a point-per-game pace in his first pro season in 2022-23, Parent has played up with the Comets in the AHL ever since.

In 129 AHL games thus far, the 23-year-old has collected 29 goals and 77 points across two-plus seasons.

This season, Parent has collected 11 goals and 26 points in 44 games. He has four game-winning goals, which tie him for second most among Comets this season. Parent’s 88 shots rank seventh on the team.

Parent’s skill with the puck on his stick has never been a question. It’s his frame at 5-foot-8, 170 lbs that give most pause whether he can succeed at the professional level or not.

Now, he at least has the chance to touch NHL ice after overcoming the odds at every level thus far. Parent will now compete with fellow prospects such as Nolan Foote and Brian Halonen for NHL minutes at training camp in September.

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