Zach Parise is a Silver Medal Winning Olympian and current New Jersey Devil’s All-Star. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Zach has become the face of U.S hockey within the past three years. Parise was drafted by the Devils 17th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He turned pro after his sophomore season at North Dakota University, and spent one year playing for the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL). Parise joined the Devils for the 2005–06 season.
Prior to his pro career, Zach spent two seasons at the University of North Dakota where he was twice nominated for the Hobey Baker Award which is given to the top men's collegiate hockey player. After one season in the minors, Zach was called up to the Devils where he would become a star. Parise's best NHL season was in 2008–09, when he was the league's third leading goal scorer with 45 goals and ranked fifth among all NHL players in points with 94. During the same season, Parise was selected to represent the Eastern Conference at the NHL All-Star Game. After the season, Parise was chosen as one of three nominees for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (awarded to the player judged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability). However, the highlight of his career thus far was being selected to the 2010 United States Olympic Ice Hockey Team where he was later named one of the team's alternate captains. During the Olympics, Parise scored one of the most exciting goals in U.S hockey history when he scored with 24 seconds left to tie the Gold Medal game against Canada. Parise would lead the U.S.A to a silver medal.
While working hard on the ice, Zach still finds time to help off the ice. Parise gives his time to New Jersey's public library system, and serves as a Library Champion, a program which promotes the importance of reading to children. Most recently Zach went to Katzenbach School for the Deaf in New Jersey to read to the children (words were translated by a sign language interpreter).
Parise's father, J.P, was a professional hockey player from 1961-1979. His brother Jordan also is currently a professional hockey goalie in Europe. Zach currently resides in New Jersey.
