Zach Parise

Lore & Background

Parise played midget AAA hockey for Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, where his father J. P. worked in the hockey program. He then spent two seasons at the University of North Dakota, where he was twice nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. He was drafted by the Devils 17th overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft and turned professional after his sophomore season, spending one year with the Albany River Rats of the AHL before joining the Devils for the 2005–06 season. Parise's best NHL season was 2008–09, when he was the league's third-leading goal scorer with 45 goals and ranked fifth in points with 94. He was named an alternate captain for the Devils in 2008 and became the team's captain in 2011, leading them to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in six games. Parise also represented the United States internationally, winning a gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships (where he was named tournament MVP, Best Forward, and to the All-Star Team) and a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where he was an alternate captain and scored the tying goal in the gold medal game. He was named captain for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Reader's Guide

Zach Parise's career is notable for his consistent offensive production and leadership roles. He captained the New Jersey Devils to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, becoming the second captain in franchise history to do so. His 2008–09 season, in which he scored 45 goals and 94 points, placed him among the NHL's elite scorers. Internationally, Parise was a key figure for the United States, serving as alternate captain at the 2010 Winter Olympics and scoring the tying goal in the gold medal game against Canada, which sent the game to overtime and earned the team a silver medal. He was also named to the Tournament All-Star Team after that Olympics. Parise's amateur career included two Hobey Baker Award nominations at the University of North Dakota and a gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships, where he was named tournament MVP. His father, Jean-Paul, was a professional player for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series and the Minnesota North Stars, and his brother Jordan is a retired professional goaltender. Parise's longevity in the NHL from 2005 to 2024 across four teams underscores his durability and skill.

Did You Know?

• Parise scored the tying goal late in the gold medal game at the 2010 Winter Olympics to send it to overtime.
• He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2004 World Junior Championships.
• Parise was the only freshman nominated for the Hobey Baker Award in 2003.
• His father, Jean-Paul, played for Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series.