Former Devils Captain Confirms Retirement Following 2023-24 Season

Former New Jersey Devils captain, Zach Parise, confirmed on Thursday that following the 2023-24 season, he will be retiring.

In an interview with NHL.com, Parise disclosed he will be hanging up the skates following his final pursuit for a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

“Yeah, this is it,” he explained to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “This is it.”

Parise signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Avalanche toward the end of January. The deal came as a surprise after Parise explained following the 2022-23 season that it was the “New York Islanders or nowhere.” However, after a roller coaster of a season on Long Island, a coaching change, and a questionable playoff position, Parise opted for the sure thing in Colorado.

Rightfully so, as the Avalanche are undoubtedly one of the Stanley Cup favorites this season.

Parise spent the first seven years of his career in New Jersey with the Devils. Former Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello drafted Parise in the first round of the 2003 NHL Draft at 17th overall.

Across seven seasons with the Devils, Parise scored 194 goals, 216 assists, and 410 points in 502 games. In the playoffs for New Jersey, Parise elevated his game scoring 21 goals and 43 assists in 61 postseason games. That included a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2011-12 where Parise scored eight goals and 15 points in 24 games.

Parise scored his first — and as of now, only — goal a week ago against the Carolina Hurricanes after the ‘Canes took an early, commanding 3-0 lead. Parise’s goal kickstarted a comeback, although they fell short.

In Parise’s final pursuit of a Stanley Cup, he explained he’s willing to do whatever it is Colorado asks of him in his last rodeo.

“I have a lot, and I’ll give everything to whatever role, whatever situation they put me in,” Parise said. “Wherever they throw me, I’ll give it everything I’ve got. That hasn’t changed. But I’m grateful to be given the opportunity.”

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