Brett Parnham leaves Oshawa for ECHL

OSHAWA -- Brett Parnham has apparently departed.

According to a story on the London Free Press website, the former 50-goal scorer with the Oshawa Generals has passed on playing his overage year with the Ontario Hockey League club and instead has opted to join the Utah Grizzlies of the East Coast Hockey League.

However, as of our deadline, there was no other confirmation of Parnham's signing in Utah. Attempts to reach Grizzlies head coach and director of hockey operations Kevin Colley were unsuccessful, as were attempts to reach Parnham through his agent Ian Pulver, who also would not comment on the story.

In addition, multiple messages left with Generals coach/GM Chris DePiero were not returned prior to deadline.

If it is indeed the end for Parnham in Oshawa, he leaves behind a team hurting for some consistent offensive production, something his addition to the roster would have certainly helped with.

Aside from John Tavares, who split time with the Generals and London Knights last season, Parnham was the only other OHLer to hit the 50-goal mark. With 26 assists added to that, his 76 points led the club in scoring.

In 2007-08 the 5-foot-10 centreman from Orillia scored 32 goals for the Generals and 23 the year before.

He originally landed in Oshawa via trade in his rookie season of 2005-06, acquired from the Sudbury Wolves by then general manager Brad Selwood in exchange for veteran Gary Friesen.

Soon after arriving with the Generals, Parnham was forced out of the lineup with a foot injury, and never had an opportunity to establish himself in that first year.

But over the next three seasons those opportunities were aplenty, as evidenced by his numbers, and last year's standout season caught the eyes of scouts as, at the end of the year, Parnham spent seven games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

However, the 20-year-old undrafted free agent couldn't parlay that into a professional contract and his future remained uncertain.

A rookie camp invite from the Ottawa Senators provided some hope, however, a shoulder injury sustained during a fight at that camp in September put Parnham on the shelf, and eliminated an opportunity to impress.

Since then rumours have floated around with regards to a potential trade out of Oshawa, with Kitchener often being mentioned as the likely suitor. All the while Parnham continued to skate and rehab his injury with the Generals.

He was expected to return this past Sunday, but opted not to play, according to comments made by DePiero following Sunday's game.