Francis Parish knows exactly what he brings to the ice — and it's not subtle.
The 19-year-old forward, entering his third season with the Peterborough Petes, has carved out a role built on physicality, relentless effort, and an unwillingness to back down. Selected 213th overall in the 11th round of the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Parish has proven that draft position doesn't define a player's impact.
"What I'm looking to work on throughout the year is just get my physical presence there, like make sure teams know I'm on the ice. I don't want them to be comfortable with the puck and I bring a lot of grit to the table and work hard," Parish told PtboCanada.
Over his first two seasons, Parish has appeared in 102 regular-season games and six playoff contests with the Petes. His approach to the game is straightforward: create discomfort for opponents and never stay down.
"If I get hit, I get right back up. Doesn't matter if I get hit or not. Just keep going," he said, speaking to PtboCanada.
That toughness extends beyond the boards. Parish has also become a key presence in the dressing room, where he's taken on the role of team jokester — a position he considers vital to keeping spirits high during the grind of a long season.
"You know, it's important that you can't always be serious. It's not healthy for you. Sometimes a good joke is but brings the team spirit alive and keeps us going," Parish told PtboCanada. On media day, he even turned his stick into an impromptu microphone, showcasing the lighthearted energy he brings off the ice.
During the offseason, Parish worked at MTR Refing in three-on-three hockey while also catching up on superhero shows including Green Arrow and Smallville. When asked which superhero he'd choose to be, his answer was simple: "All the superhero powers are already taken so all I can really wish to be a Superman," he said, speaking to PtboCanada.
Now, with the season opener just days away, Parish is eager to experience the energy of the Memorial Centre crowd once again.
"Can't wait to see the crowd be electric when we step out on the ice, really. It's just an electric fan base and just excited to get out there," he told PtboCanada.
The Petes will open their season at home against the Kingston Frontenacs on Thursday, September 17th, at 7pm at the Memorial Centre. For Parish, it's another opportunity to prove that hard work and personality can take you further than any draft number ever could.
