ST. PAUL -- J.P. Parise, a former Minnesota North Star and a central figure in Minnesota hockey, died Wednesday night. He was 73.
Parise was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in February. He is survived by his wife Donna and two children, Jordan and Zach.
Zach is the star left wing for the Minnesota Wild and former University of North Dakota standout.
The family released a statement through the Wild:
"After a brave battle with lung cancer, J.P. Parise passed away peacefully at home Wednesday night with his family by his side. 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."
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Hockey was central to J.P.'s life, and most of his career as a player and coach was spent in Minnesota. He played in 890 NHL games, including 588 with the North Stars. After his playing days, Parise spent eight years as an assistant coach with the North Stars. Later, he became the hockey director at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault.
"It's life," J.P. told the Pioneer Press in September regarding his diagnosis. "You just go out and prepare for the next game."
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
The Pioneer Press is a media partner with Forum News Service.
