Parise: 'I wish I would have stayed'

The following story is part of the Herald's look at the last 10 years of the Fighting Sioux men's hockey program. For the full section, purchase today's Herald or view it online beginning tonight.

Zach Parise has played in an NHL All-Star Game, won an Olympic medal and was named the greatest American-born player in the game by the NHL's website.

There aren't many regrets to have in a career like that.

But there is one thing Parise says he would do over: The New Jersey Devils star said he wishes he would have stayed at UND for another year.

Parise turned pro after his sophomore season in 2004, when he led UND to a MacNaughton Cup and was named one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.

"It all happened so quickly," Parise said. "We lost and I got a call the next day. It's tough when you're a kid and you have all that money waved in front of your face. With the lockout coming and all the rumors that the entry-level contracts were going to take the biggest hits, my agent and I felt it was a good time to go."

Although entry-level contracts were indeed hit the hardest, Parise said he'd do it over again.

"I wish I would have stayed in college for another year," Parise said. "It was not a fun year in the minors. Our team was not very good. You still keep in touch with all of the guys and they were all having a blast. They went all the way to the championship that year. I wish I would have been part of it."

UND lost to Denver in the 2005 national title game. Parise would have been a junior on that team that featured Drew Stafford, Travis Zajac, Rastislav Spirko, Colby Genoway, Matt Greene, Matt Jones, Matt Smaby, Andy Schneider, Nick Fuher, Rory McMahon and others.

Parise said he still keeps in frequent contact with many of them.

Parise, who was the first player to commit in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena, looks back on his time at UND fondly.

"It ended up being perfect there," he said. "It was unbelievable. With the arena and the ice time that's available to you and the great weight room. . . it is a good spot to go and develop as a player. The way they coach and the way they play is the most similar to the NHL, too. Now, I talk to guys who went to other schools and they all tell me how much they hated playing North Dakota, because they knew it was going to be such a tough game."