St. Paul, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - J.P. Parise, a longtime NHL forward and the father of Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise, died Wednesday. He was 73 years old.
J.P. Parise passed away after a long battle with lung cancer, the Parise family said in a statement issued by the Wild on Thursday.
"After a brave battle with lung cancer, J.P. Parise passed away peacefully at home Wednesday night with his family by his side," the statement read. "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."
J.P. Parise had 238 goals and 594 points in 890 NHL games between 1965-79 with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota North Stars, New York Islanders and Cleveland Barons.
The Ontario native played parts of nine seasons with the North Stars, first from 1967-68 through January 1975, then again in 1978-79 when he was the team's captain in his final season.
Parise played in two All-Star Games with the North Stars, but may best be remembered for the goal he scored 11 seconds into overtime to give the New York Islanders their first-ever playoff series victory in a 1975 preliminary round matchup with the New York Rangers.
After his career, Parise spent time in the North Stars' organization as an assistant coach. He was also the hockey director at Shattuck-St. Mary's, a prep school in Minnesota.
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