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New York Islanders

Zach Parise is Your 2021-22 Bob Nystrom Award Recipient

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New York Islanders Zach Parise & Oliver Wahlstrom

Through his leadership, hustle, and determination, New York Islanders legend Bobby Nystrom helped the organization win four straight Stanley Cups over his 14-year NHL career.

Due to Nystrom’s success and the critical role he played, the New York Islanders created the “Bob Nystrom Award” back in 1990, which is given to the player that best exemplifies Nystrom’s traits as a player and person. The award winner is voted on by the fans.

On Thursday, the New York Islanders announced that Zach Parise is the 2021-22 recipient of this award.

It was impossible to watch any Islanders games this season and ignore the work ethic of the 37-year-old forward. Regardless of where he was slotted in the lineup, Parise gave it his all, shift in and shift out.

After just one goal in 25 games, it would have been easy for Parise just to hang his head. However, he continued to work harder than anyone on the Islanders, whether it be in practice or in games. And eventually, the results came his way.

That slow start did not define his season, as he finished the 2021-22 campaign with 15 goals and 20 assists.

Not to mention, through all the obstacles this past season brought, Zach Parise was the only New York Islanders player to dress for all 82 games.

“Zach is such a hard-working guy, but he’s so easygoing,” New York Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “He’s always thinking about what’s next for him, in the sense of what can he do to be better and looking at little things, the smallest things in the game, and I love talking to him about that.”

Barry Trotz, who is no longer the bench boss of the New York Islanders, perfectly summed up Zach Parise early on this past season, Parise’s first season on the island.

“He’s got a drive train that doesn’t stop,” Trotz said.

I asked Mathew Barzal about what he learned from Zach Parise this past season. Immediately Barzal said that spoke of his worth ethic and also that he loved him.

It may not have been the season that Zach Parise and the New York Islanders wanted, but in just one year, Parise showed why general manager Lou Lamoriello wanted to bring him to Long Island and why an extension was agreed upon.

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