Zach Parise Enshrined in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame After Storied College, NHL, and Team USA Career

(KNSI) – Minnesota native and former member of the Wild, Zach Parise, was enshrined in the US Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Parise is considered one of the most complete two-way forwards of his era.

He played two seasons with the University of North Dakota, earning recognition as a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist in both campaigns. The award is given to the best player in college hockey. He finished his freshman season in 2002-03 with 61 points in just 39 games and went on to record 55 points in 37 games the following year.

His college success led to his selection in the 2003 NHL Draft as the 17th overall pick by the New Jersey Devils. Parise started his professional career during the 2004-05 season with the Albany River Rats, the Devils’ AHL affiliate. He made his NHL debut with the Devils the following season. He would go on to play 19 seasons with the Devils, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche.

In all, Parise played in 1,254 NHL regular-season games and recorded 889 points, including 434 goals and 455 assists. He played in the NHL playoffs in 15 seasons and contributed 83 points, including 39 goals and 44 assists, in 122 games.

Internationally, Parise was a member of the silver medal-winning 2010 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, served as captain of Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and also represented the U.S. in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

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