Minnesota hockey great J.P. Parise dies
Updated 12:05 p.m. | Posted 10:13 a.m.
Minnesota hockey icon J.P. Parise, father of Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise, died after an extended battle with lung cancer, the team announced Thursday.
Parise played for the old Minnesota North Stars. He was 73.
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Born in Ontario, Canada, Parise spent much of his 17-year NHL career with the North Stars and was chosen to two All-Star teams.
After retiring from the NHL, he spent nine seasons as a North Stars assistant coach. He later ran the hockey program at Shattuck-St. Mary's prep school in Faribault, Minn., one of the nation's top prep hockey schools.
"Especially in his adopted home state of Minnesota, J.P. was a consummate player, teacher and administrator in the game," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
Here's the statement from the family released by the Wild:
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.