Zach Parise had a stellar two-year career with the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks from 2002 to 2004. In his sophomore and final season in 2003-2004, he was a Top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. That year, he led his team in scoring with 55 points from 23 goals and 32 assists. His impressive performance also earned him a spot as an All-American and helped lead North Dakota to two NCAA Tournament appearances. He finished his college career with 116 points in just 76 games.

After his successful collegiate career, Parise went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 19 seasons. Drafted 17th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2003, he became a star player known for his leadership, two-way game, and scoring ability. He spent seven seasons with the Devils, including a run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, before signing a long-term contract with his home state team, the Minnesota Wild. He finished his professional career with the New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche, amassing 889 points in 1,254 games. He also won a silver medal with Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics.