Wild honor J.P. Parise with pregame ceremony, helmet decal

The Wild honored former Minnesota North Stars player J.P. Parise before and during their game against the Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night.

The Wild honored former Minnesota North Stars player J.P. Parise before and during their game against the Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday night.

Parise, the father of Wild winger Zach Parise, passed away Wednesday night at the age of 73 after a year-long battle with lung cancer.

Zach Parise's Minnesota teammates decided to honor J.P.’s memory by wearing a No. 11 sticker, J.P.’s jersey number (as well as Zach's), on their helmets for Thursday's game. Zach was given the night off.

Paying tribute to JP Parise tonight. pic.twitter.com/CVJ3gk6lxu

— Matt Benz (@benznasty) January 8, 2015

The Wild also held a pregame ceremony to celebrate J.P.’s life and legacy.

The elder Parise played 890 games in an NHL career that spanned 17 years, including two All-Star seasons with the North Stars. He was also an assistant for the team for nine seasons after retiring from the NHL in 1979.

The Parise family released the following 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.”

The Blackhawks went on to defeat the Wild 4-2.

- Katie Brown