Parise Sets Sights on Stanley Cup with Avalanche
Zach Parise, 39-year-old forward, believes the Colorado Avalanche provide him with a great opportunity to finally win the Stanley Cup.
Parise Sees Colorado as His Best Chance
Zach Parise expressed his excitement about joining the Colorado Avalanche and his desire to compete for the Stanley Cup. After observing and playing against the Avalanche for a long time, Parise recognized their talent and saw it as his best chance to achieve his ultimate goal.
As he approaches the end of his career, Parise understands that nothing is guaranteed, but he wants to position himself for success. He mentioned that the Avalanche's strong roster was the biggest draw for him, as he seeks one last shot at the Cup.
Rekindling the Desire to Play
Parise's decision to return to the NHL was sparked during a golf trip to Scotland. While he initially planned on retiring, the opportunity to train and play half a year was presented to him, leading him to give it another shot. It was his wife's encouragement that ultimately convinced him to take advantage of the great opportunity.
Following his offseason training in Minnesota, where he worked hard and stayed active, Parise's readiness to contribute to the Avalanche during the second half of the season became evident. His dedication to staying in shape and staying involved in the sport laid the foundation for his comeback.
A Promising Addition for the Avalanche
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar praised Parise's remarkable conditioning and readiness to jump into the action. Parise, with 879 points in his NHL career, brings a wealth of experience to the team. Although he has made the playoffs in 14 of his 18 seasons, Parise has only reached the Stanley Cup Final once, in 2012.
Teammates like defenseman Cale Makar are eager to see Parise's contributions and believe he can make a significant impact. The Avalanche hope to utilize Parise's scoring ability and provide him a role where he can excel. Parise is excited to join the team and is prepared to adapt to any position or role assigned to him.