ST PAUL, Minn. — For countless Minnesota kids with NHL aspirations, playing for their hometown team is the ultimate dream. Zach Parise lived that dream—and now his career has been cemented into hockey history. 

The Minneapolis native was among five inductees named to the 53rd class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday, alongside Joe Pavelski, Scott Gomez, women’s hockey pioneer Tara Mounsey, and acclaimed NHL photographer Bruce Bennett.

“It means a lot,” Parise said, reflecting on his years skating for the Wild. “To get that chance, it was great. I loved it. My family loved it.”

Parise played 19 seasons in the NHL, logging time with the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, and, of course, his hometown Minnesota Wild. He earned a reputation as one of the most complete two-way forwards of his era. 

Over the course of 1,254 NHL regular-season games, Parise recorded 889 points (434 goals, 455 assists). His teams made the playoffs in 15 seasons, with Parise accumulating an additional 83 points (39 goals, 44 assists) in 122 playoff games.

Internationally, Parise was a member of the silver medal-winning 2010 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, and served as captain of Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. 

“Until you experience it for yourself, it’s really hard to describe what those games are like,” he said of Olympic competition.

Now retired from professional play, Parise hasn’t ruled out coaching someday—but for now, he says he’s happiest behind the bench coaching his kids’ youth teams, enjoying life without the constant travel.