Infamous MN Wild Superstar Makes U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

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Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

It has been a few years since Zach Parise last played for the Minnesota Wild. Despite spending nine of his 19 years in the NHL wearing his hometown sweater, Parise’s connection to the franchise is complicated.

Of course it was widely celebrated when the Minneapolis-native was acquired from the New Jersey Devils. Since the buyout of Parise’s contract (along with Ryan Suter) the salary cap boat anchor has been the bane of the franchise’s existence.

Now that the money is off the books and the Wild have moved forward with offseason plans, it’s only fitting that Parise can be celebrated again. This time it’s with a Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Zach Parise among 2025 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class

Although hockey is also dominated by European nations, the pinnacle of the sport takes place in America. The NHL represents the best of the best, and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame resides in the State of Hockey. Now, Zach Parise, a native of the state, will be enshrined in the Eveleth, Minnesota museum as well.

The five-member class includes three former NHL superstars. Parise is joined by Joe Pavelski and Scott Gomez. A dinner and ceremony are scheduled for December 10 in St. Paul.

Parise played 1,254 NHL regular-season games and 122 postseason games for the Devils, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche. The Minneapolis native left New Jersey, which chose him in the first round (No. 17) of the 2003 NHL Draft, after seven seasons to sign with his hometown Wild. He had 83 points (39 goals, 44 assists) in 122 playoff games, reaching the postseason 15 times. The closest Parise came to winning the Stanley Cup was in 2012, when New Jersey lost the Final in six games to the Los Angeles Kings.

Internationally, Parise won gold at the 2002 IIHF Under-18 World Championship and was a member of the 2004 U.S. National Junior Team that won the country’s first gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He also won silver at the 2010 Olympics.

Mike Morreale – NHL.com

Parise scored 199 goals in 558 games for the Minnesota Wild. He poured in 400 points and was a fan favorite. Dominating for the Wild during a time where Joe Mauer was the face of the Minnesota Twins, Adrian Peterson was the Minnesota Vikings, and Kevin Garnett had returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was a stretch of stardom in the Twin Cities.

Ultimately Parise left Minnesota for two seasons with the New York Islanders. He finished his career with 30 games played for the Colorado Avalanche during the 2023-24 season.

Related: Multiple MN Wild Players Claim Spot on NHL Top Youngsters List

Now 41 years old, the same smile that became easy to recognize with the Wild will again unquestionably be on display as he accepts recognition as one of the best to ever step on a sheet of ice.

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