USA Hockey names Zach Parise captain

Zach Parise has 34 points for the Wild this season. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) Team USA announced Minnesota Wild left winger Zach Parise as captain of the

Zach Parise has 34 points for the Wild this season. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Team USA announced Minnesota Wild left winger Zach Parise as captain of the Olympic squad on Friday.

Parise had previously served as an alternate captain on the silver medal team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The nine-year veteran said he was excited to receive the honor.

I was pretty thrilled to get the call. I'm lucky enough to join an elite list of players to be captain of the U.S... It's a special thing to be named captain of any team, but when it's an Olympic team it's extra special.

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Parise will be backed up by his Minnesota Wild teammate Ryan Suter and Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings, who will serve as alternate captains in Sochi.

Zach Parise - "I was pretty thrilled to get the call. I'm lucky enough to join an elite list of players to be captain of the U.S."

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 31, 2014

Parise - "It's a special thing to be named captain of any team, but when it's an Olympic team it's extra special."

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 31, 2014