Wild F Zach Parise misses game to be with ailing father
Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise is not with the team on Tuesday night when it faces the San Jose Sharks to be with his ailing father.
By
Adam Gretz
•
1 min read
Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise was not with the team on Tuesday night for their game against the San Jose Sharks so he could be with his father, J.P. Parise, who has been battling lung cancer.
The Wild issued a statement just before their game.
Zach Parise will not play in tonight's game against San Jose. The Wild supports his decision to be with his family as his dad, J.P. Parise, battles lung cancer and asks that their privacy be respected. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Parise family during this difficult time.
J.P. Parise played 14 seasons in the NHL between 1965 and 1979 with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota North Stars, New York Islanders and Cleveland Barons. He scored 230 goals in 890 games, with his best years coming as a member of the North Stars between 1967 and 1975.
After spending time as a coach in the Minnesota organization following his playing days, he became the hockey director at Shattuck-Saint Mary's, a powerhouse program that produced not only his son, but also Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews
He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer last January and his condition has deteriorated recently after stopping chemotherapy treatment.
