Colton Parayko


Colton Parayko is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He was selected by the Blues in the third round, 86th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Parayko won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blues in 2019.

Playing career

College

Parayko played collegiate hockey for the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the NCAA Men's Division I Western Collegiate Hockey Association. In his sophomore year with the Nanooks ice hockey team, Parayko's outstanding play was rewarded with a selection to the 2013–14 All-WCHA First Team.

Professional

At the completion of his junior season with the Nanooks, Parayko ended his collegiate career in signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. He was assigned to St. Louis' American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, to finish the 2014–15 season on March 10, 2015. Parayko appeared in 79 games for the Blues the following season, recording 33 points.
On January 8, 2017, at the Blues' team skills competition, Parayko recorded the hardest shot of the day at 104 miles per hour, besting the record at the league-wide skills competition that year. On July 21, 2017, the Blues re-signed Parayko to a five-year, $27.5 million contract worth $5.5 million annually.
Parayko won the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals with the Blues, St. Louis' first Stanley Cup in their 52-year franchise history.

International play

Parayko was picked as part of Team North America, a selection of the top American and Canadian players aged 23 and under, at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. He played in three games for Team North America, recording three assists.
After the Blues were eliminated in the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, Parayko joined Canada at the 2017 World Championship, where he registered seven points and was named an All-Star. The Canadians would lose to Sweden in a shootout at the finals.

Personal life

On August 12, 2016, Parayko graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a degree in Business Administration. On earning his degree, Parayko said, "Hockey can only last so long. I'm going to have to work after hockey... Having a degree in my back pocket is obviously a bonus."

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours