J.P. Parise lost his year long battle with lung cancer on Wednesday night. Parise played for the Boston Bruins and one game for the Toronto Maple Leafs, before he was traded to the expansion North Stars in 1967. In Minnesota, he quickly became a fan favorite, and was an All-Star in 1970 and 1973. In 1972, J.P. played for Team Canada in the “Summit Series” against the Soviet Union, famously getting ejected after confronting an official when he was called for a penalty in Game 8. He was traded to the New York Islanders during the 1974-75 season. Say, “11 seconds” to any Islander fan, and probably any Ranger fan, and they will think of Parise. In game 3 of the 1975 playoffs against the NY Rangers, Parise scored 11 seconds into overtime to win the game for the Islanders.

“Somehow, Parise was an Islander for only three years. But he was a cornerstone, an essential building block for the greatest of hockey teams. He had character, on and off the ice, and it rubbed off on everyone.”
— Larry Brooks The New York Post

Once, when leaving a North Stars luncheon, Parise was stopped by former Viking Coach Bud Grant. Grant went on to praise Parise’s gritty style. “That, I can tell you, was the greatest compliment of my life,” Parise said.
From Jim Souhan’s column Minneapolis Star-Tribune

J.P. Parise played 14 seasons in the NHL, scoring 238 goals and a total of 594 points. His final season was again with the North Stars, and he retired in 1979. J.P. Parise, the North Stars at the old Met Center. One hell of a combination.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Wild