Zach Parise's Veteran Presence Guides Islanders

Veteran players are valuable on any team, and for the New York Islanders, Zach Parise continues to lead by example, producing points and inspiring the younger players.
"He's a guy that brings his 110% every day and that's felt from every teammate," Jean-Gabriel Pageau said of Parise's work ethic. "I feel it. And when I see someone doing that, I want to do it too."
Pageau speaks from experience, as he and Parise have played over 700 minutes together at five-on-five over the past season and a half.

"He makes it easier definitely for me," Pageau said. "Not only on the ice, but off the ice he's someone who communicates a lot. We're on the same page."
Parise is the fifth oldest active player in the NHL at 38 years old, but "plays like it's his first day" according to Brock Nelson, who said that type of energy is "contagious."
"We always talk about depth," Nelson said. "Old guys, young guys, it doesn't matter, you just want to have it. We have a guy like him, he goes out there and competes, and works really hard."
Parise has 21 points (14G, 7A) through 55 games, keeping on pace with last year's 35 points (15G, 20A) through 82 games. He's proven to be a key asset for the Islanders in huge moments, including scoring the overtime winner on Nov. 12 against the Blue Jackets on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at UBS Arena.

"He's an inspiration for the other guys," Pageau added. "I think that's why he's had such a great career and is still as successful to this day."
With continued production, Parise is moving up NHL's all-time list. With his 422st career goal on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken, Parise moved to #85 on the all-time list in goals - tying Owen Nolan - but reaching that number in four fewer games. Parise also passed former Islander Steve Thomas (421) on the all-time goal list at #87.
"That's a pretty neat group to be a part of," Parise said. "A couple guys remind me where I am on the list, it's all in good fun."
The 38-year-old winger brought in a wealth of experience to the Islanders since his arrival ahead of the 2021-22 season. With seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils, 11 seasons with the Minnesota Wild - and leadership positions on both - Parise received praise from Head Coach Lane Lambert on his continued consistency and commitment to the game.
"It's a real bonus for us," Lambert said on Parise's value to the team. "Not only for our young players to see, but also for some of the guys that have been around for four or five years."
"[Parise] has a lot of energy and a good work ethic," Nelson said. "He provides a lot of insight too, even for guys that have been around for a while.
Zach Parise's resiliency is highlighted through his streak of 136 consecutive games for the Islanders, including dressing in all 82 games last season, while maintaining that path so far this season.
"A lot of it has to do with luck, you never know what could happen out there," Parise said of his iron-man streak. "But I think throughout my career and even more now, I've learned to take care of myself, eating the right way and getting enough rest."

With 18 seasons and counting on his resume, Parise made quite a mark on the all-time list for Minnesota-born players. His 422 goals rank first and his 866 points is good for fourth on the list. For other Minnesota natives on the Islanders like Hudson Fasching, Parise's influence existed before they were teammates.
"I had one of those shirseys when I was a kid," Fasching recalled. "He played for the Wild... that's my hometown team, so I grew up watching the Wild quite a bit. It's been crazy to be able to play with him."
Naturally, Fasching is absorbing all he can from the veteran winger.
"He's a really smart player, so I just try to take everything in," Fasching said on learning from the details of Parise's game. "Whether it's little plays on the boards or bigger things than that, to take that in and internalize it so I can contribute to the team more, and use that information."
Parise is happy to provide that knowledge for the younger Islanders, but providing quality play for the team is still paramount.
"I think we all remember when we were younger in the league, how important it was to have the veteran guys make you feel welcome and fit in," Parise said. "But I don't look at it as trying to mentor anyone... just being part of the group and having fun with them."