Former North Star J.P. Parise, father of Wild's Zach, dies at 73
Former NHL forward and Canadian national team member Jean-Paul Parise died on Wednesday night. He was 73.
Parise passed away after a year-long battle with lung cancer, the Minnesota Wild announced Thursday. He is the father of Wild star Zach Parise.
The family issued the following statement:
After a brave battle with lung cancer, J.P. Parise passed away peacefully at home Wednesday night with his family by his side. We appreciate the outpouring of support we have received from family, friends and the entire hockey community during this difficult time. J.P. was a great husband, father and grandpa and will be greatly missed by all of us.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also offered condolences:
The National Hockey League family mourns the passing and cherishes the memory of J.P. Parise. Especially in his adopted home state of Minnesota, J.P. was a consummate player, teacher and administrator in the game. The Parise name has been prominent in Minnesota hockey since the 1960s, and J.P.'s commitment and passion for the NHL lives on through his son, Zach. The NHL sends heartfelt condolences to J.P.'s family, to his friends, to the Minnesota Wild organization and to all the organizations J.P. represented with such passion.
Parise was a two-time All-Star who played nine seasons for the Minnesota North Stars, spent four years with the New York Islanders and began his career with the Boston Bruins. He played a single game for the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to Minnesota in 1967.
At the time of his retirement, J.P. Parise was the North Stars' all-time leader in assists, second in points, third in goals and fifth in games played.
He was a member of the Canadian national team that defeated Russia in the 1972 Summit Series. He produced one of the most memorable moments of that event in Game 7 when he was ejected after swinging his stick and narrowly missing an official.
Parise served as an assistant coach in the North Stars' organization after the conclusion of his playing career.
Zach Parise found out his father was battling lung cancer upon returning from the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. He did not play in the Wild's loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, opting to spend time with his ailing father.