Former NHL player J.P. Parise dies of lung cancer at 73

Former NHL player J.P Parise and the father of Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise died after a battle with lung cancer

Former NHL player J.P Parise and the father of Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise died after a battle with lung cancer on Wednesday night. He was 73.

Parise was a two-time NHL All-Star for the Minnesota North Stars.

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“After a brave battle with lung cancer, J.P. Parise passed away peacefully at home Wednesday night with his family by his side,” the Parise family said in a statement. “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.”

Parise scored 238 goals and 356 assists in 890 games over 17 NHL seasons, which he spent with the Boston Bruins, North Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and Cleveland Barons. One of his most famous moments came as an Islander when he scored the goal 11 seconds into overtime that eliminated the rival Rangers in a major upset during the 1975 playoffs.

He was also an assistant for the North Starts for nine seasons after retiring from the NHL in 1979.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released the following statement:

"The National Hockey League family mourns the passing and cherishes the memory of J.P. Parise. Especially in his adopted home state of Minnesota, J.P. was a consummate player,teacher and administrator in the game. The Parise name has been prominent in Minnesota hockey since the 1960s, and J.P.'s commitment and passion for the NHL lives on through his son,Zach. The NHL sends heartfelt condolences to J.P.'s family, to his friends, to the Minnesota Wild organization and to all the organizations J.P. represented with such passion."

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