Zach Parise reveals whether or not he'll play another season

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TJ Tucker
April 17, 2024 (9:22 PM)

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Veteran Zach Parise is pumped to be going into the playoffs with the Colorado Avalanche, but the Avs last regular season game in 2023-24 will be Parise's last ever.

While he doesn't want to make a big fuss about it, 39-year-old Zach Parise has confirmed that the Colorado Avalanche's last regular season game in 2023-24, which takes place Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers, will be the last regular season game of his career. Parise told the Denver Post that decision was made a while ago.

"Yeah, I've decided. I'm not going to make a big deal out of it. I was content coming back that this would be the last one."

Parise will end the 2023-24 regular season playing in his 1254th game. Those came with the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, and the Avalanche. Parise has also taken part in 111 Stanley Cup Playoffs games over the years, and is excited to go into the post season with Colorado.

"It's been awesome to be a part of. The experience itself. Playing with these guys and even just practicing with them, it makes you a better player � even at my age. It's gone even better than I thought it would be."

Interestingly enough, this might be one of the better chances he's had of winning the Stanley Cup over his 17-year NHL career. He appeared in the final series with the New Jersey Devils back in 2012, but the team lost to the LA Kings. Since then, Parise has not gone any further than the second round. He will retire at third on the lost of NHL games played for American players behind Ryan Suter and Joe Pavelski. Parise is one of 13 American players to score at least 400 goals in the league.

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