Justin Parizek’s debut season in Boise was one of the best ever by a first-year Steelhead, the 26 year-old earning his first All-Star selection and serving as one of the Steelheads’ top offensive players from the very start of the season.
Let’s see how “JP” burst onto the scene:
60 – Justin Parizek collected 60 points in his first pro season, second on the Steelheads in scoring and also second among all ECHL rookies. Parizek put up the third-highest points total of any Steelheads rookie in the ECHL era, and the most since Kael Mouillierat’s 63 points during the 2010-11 season.
12 – First impressions matter, and Justin Parizek made a solid one upon joining the Steelheads. After putting up seven points in his first seven pro games in October, Parizek followed with 12 points in 11 November games. Parizek had seven goals in November and enjoyed an eight-game points streak, his longest of the season.
18 – A strong finish is important, too, and Justin Parizek roared into the post-season for Idaho. Over the final 16 games of the season, Parizek put up six goals and 18 points. That stretch included his first 4-point performance on March 2nd against Wichita, along with three other multi-point showings.
6 – Injuries prevented Parizek from taking part in Idaho’s second-round series against the Colorado Eagles, but he did see his first playoff action in the first round against the Allen Americans. While it took the Steelheads some time to get going, Parizek was dynamic in the series with six points in seven games. The rookie scored in Game 2 and Game 3, and had a point in five of the seven playoff contests.
3 – Parizek represented the Steelheads at the 2018 ECHL All-Star Classic, a 3-on-3 tournament that had Parizek take part in two mini-games for the Mountain Division squad. Parizek performed well, with a goal and two assists during those two contests and three shots on goal, helping the Mountain Division win both games.
6 – Parizek’s one-timer on the power play drew a lot of eyeballs throughout the season, but he was also among the league’s top breakaway specialists. Parizek led the ECHL with six goals in the shootout last season, with an overall success rate of 66.7% (6/9).