by Robert Brent, Let’s Play Hockey

The United States Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed its newest class earlier this week, inducting an illustrious group that included a trio of NHL legends, a women’s hockey pioneer and the preeminent photographer of the sport. 

The story of hockey in the United States can’t be told without the state of Minnesota. That fact rang true during the proceedings as well, with the induction of hometown hero Zach Parise.

Parise was born in Minnesota to former NHL standout J.P. Parise, who was working in the North Stars organization after a successful playing career. At the induction ceremony, Zach Parise recalled how his father influenced his desire to play hockey from a very early age.

“I grew up 20 minutes from St. Paul in Bloomington, and from what I can remember, all I wanted to do was be like my dad and play in the National Hockey League,” Parise said. “He was always quick to remind me how hard it was to make it and the work ethic you need, but he said there was nothing better.”

That work ethic became a staple of Parise’s game, as he was known as a hard-working, tenacious forward throughout his career. 

The Minnesota native was a standout very early in his playing days, and he’d go on to play at the NHL prospect factory, Shattuck St.-Mary’s, in Faribault. He excelled as a Sabre, scoring 340 points in 125 games. 

Parise would go on to attend the University of North Dakota and once again prove himself as one of the best players in his age group. He played two seasons with UND and finished in the top three in Hobey Baker voting in his second season. Parise’s play attracted the attention of the New Jersey Devils, who drafted the forward at 17th overall in the 2003 draft. 

Before turning pro, Parise had already accumulated an impressive resume as a player, particularly while representing the United States.

In 2002, Parise scored seven goals and added three assists in just ten games at the U18 World Championships. That effort propelled the U.S. to the gold medal, its first ever in the event.

Two years later, Parise once again excelled at an international event, this time representing the United States at the 2004 World Juniors. Parise once again dominated the tournament, scoring 11 points in six games en route to the United States’ first World Juniors gold medal.

Parise reflected on how that tournament was instrumental in his early career.

“Those games were our first experience playing against people from other countries that we had heard about. Our first time playing the Ovechkin’s and that. It was a measuring stick, playing best-on-best at 17 years old,” Parise said. “I was fortunate enough to be on the first team to win it (from the U.S.), so those are big moments in our lives.”

Parise would go on to an illustrious NHL career, playing over 1,250 games and scoring 889 points across four organizations. He started his career in New Jersey, where he made a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2012 as the team’s captain. During his time in New Jersey, Parise once again played a pivotal role in a historic moment in United States hockey.

The forward was named an alternate captain for the 2010 U.S. Olympic team, a squad that reached the gold medal game in Vancouver against the host Canadians.

Parise scored a goal late to send the game to overtime, before the Canadians ultimately won in what is considered one of the best hockey games ever played. Despite the loss, Parise recognizes and appreciates the moment for its history and spoke about it at the induction.

“The Olympics are a little bit different, and until you experience it yourself, it’s tough to describe what those games are like. That U.S. and Canada game, it’s hard to put into words,” Parise said. “I’m a bit biased, but still to this day, that’s one of the best games ever played.”

After leaving the New Jersey Devils at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, Parise signed a historic 13-year $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 4th, 2012. The signing represented a homecoming for Parise, who recalled his excitement about playing for his hometown team.

“A lot of kids growing up would love to do that and I was no different. To get that chance was great. I loved it, my family loved it and we stayed here after,” Parise said. “It’s a place that we’ve called home for a long time.”

Parise played 558 games over nine seasons with the Wild, scoring 199 goals and adding 201 assists for 400 points in the Minnesota organization. During his Wild tenure, Parise played in his 1000th NHL game and scored his 300th career goal. 

After his time in Minnesota, Parise played for the New York Islanders for two seasons and wrapped up his career with 30 games played for the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24. 

Parise’s induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame capped a significant career built on consistency, competitiveness and a deep connection to his home state. His accomplishments in the red, white, and blue, along with his litany of NHL achievements cement his career as one of the most memorable of his generation. 

by Robert Brent, Let’s Play Hockey

The United States Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed its newest class earlier this week, inducting an illustrious group that included a trio of NHL legends, a women’s hockey pioneer and the preeminent photographer of the sport. 

The story of hockey in the United States can’t be told without the state of Minnesota. That fact rang true during the proceedings as well, with the induction of hometown hero Zach Parise.

Parise was born in Minnesota to former NHL standout J.P. Parise, who was working in the North Stars organization after a successful playing career. At the induction ceremony, Zach Parise recalled how his father influenced his desire to play hockey from a very early age.

“I grew up 20 minutes from St. Paul in Bloomington, and from what I can remember, all I wanted to do was be like my dad and play in the National Hockey League,” Parise said. “He was always quick to remind me how hard it was to make it and the work ethic you need, but he said there was nothing better.”

That work ethic became a staple of Parise’s game, as he was known as a hard-working, tenacious forward throughout his career. 

The Minnesota native was a standout very early in his playing days, and he’d go on to play at the NHL prospect factory, Shattuck St.-Mary’s, in Faribault. He excelled as a Sabre, scoring 340 points in 125 games. 

Parise would go on to attend the University of North Dakota and once again prove himself as one of the best players in his age group. He played two seasons with UND and finished in the top three in Hobey Baker voting in his second season. Parise’s play attracted the attention of the New Jersey Devils, who drafted the forward at 17th overall in the 2003 draft. 

Before turning pro, Parise had already accumulated an impressive resume as a player, particularly while representing the United States.

In 2002, Parise scored seven goals and added three assists in just ten games at the U18 World Championships. That effort propelled the U.S. to the gold medal, its first ever in the event.

Two years later, Parise once again excelled at an international event, this time representing the United States at the 2004 World Juniors. Parise once again dominated the tournament, scoring 11 points in six games en route to the United States’ first World Juniors gold medal.

Parise reflected on how that tournament was instrumental in his early career.

“Those games were our first experience playing against people from other countries that we had heard about. Our first time playing the Ovechkin’s and that. It was a measuring stick, playing best-on-best at 17 years old,” Parise said. “I was fortunate enough to be on the first team to win it (from the U.S.), so those are big moments in our lives.”

Parise would go on to an illustrious NHL career, playing over 1,250 games and scoring 889 points across four organizations. He started his career in New Jersey, where he made a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2012 as the team’s captain. During his time in New Jersey, Parise once again played a pivotal role in a historic moment in United States hockey.

The forward was named an alternate captain for the 2010 U.S. Olympic team, a squad that reached the gold medal game in Vancouver against the host Canadians.

Parise scored a goal late to send the game to overtime, before the Canadians ultimately won in what is considered one of the best hockey games ever played. Despite the loss, Parise recognizes and appreciates the moment for its history and spoke about it at the induction.

“The Olympics are a little bit different, and until you experience it yourself, it’s tough to describe what those games are like. That U.S. and Canada game, it’s hard to put into words,” Parise said. “I’m a bit biased, but still to this day, that’s one of the best games ever played.”

After leaving the New Jersey Devils at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, Parise signed a historic 13-year $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 4th, 2012. The signing represented a homecoming for Parise, who recalled his excitement about playing for his hometown team.

“A lot of kids growing up would love to do that and I was no different. To get that chance was great. I loved it, my family loved it and we stayed here after,” Parise said. “It’s a place that we’ve called home for a long time.”

Parise played 558 games over nine seasons with the Wild, scoring 199 goals and adding 201 assists for 400 points in the Minnesota organization. During his Wild tenure, Parise played in his 1000th NHL game and scored his 300th career goal. 

After his time in Minnesota, Parise played for the New York Islanders for two seasons and wrapped up his career with 30 games played for the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24. 

Parise’s induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame capped a significant career built on consistency, competitiveness and a deep connection to his home state. His accomplishments in the red, white, and blue, along with his litany of NHL achievements cement his career as one of the most memorable of his generation.