Minnesota Wild Zach Parise Named Team USA captain

Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise has been named Captain of the men’s U.S. Olympic hockey team on Friday.

Parise is coming off his best two-game span this season, totaling seven points (three goals, four assists) and a plus 4 rating in games at Anaheim and Colorado. Parise had the game winning shot against the Ducks and had four points and nine shots against the Avalanche. He has 16 shots in his past three games.

Dec 17, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) against the Vancouver Canucks at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Canucks 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Parise’s Wild teammate defenseman Ryan Suter has been named alternate captain, along with left wing Dustin Brown from the Los Angeles Kings. All three men were alternate captains on the 2010 silver medal winning team in Vancouver.

Parise is the son of former NHL player J.P. Parise and is the alternate captain in Minnesota, but he had previously been captain of the New Jersey Devils. He long has been respected as an athlete who tries to master all aspects of his game, including being an effective leader and role model.