Islanders Nelson Pokes Fun At Parise For Missing Morning Skate

If there’s anything to know about New York Islanders forward Zach Parise, it’s that his commitment to the sport is second to none. Whether it’s a practice, a morning skate, a game, or even a scrimmage, the 18-year NHL veteran is not only present but is going one hundred percent, never taking a shift off.

It’s also worth mentioning that after every skate, whether it be a 30-min practice or following a devastating loss for New York, Zach Parise is sitting in his locker waiting to be questioned.

That’s why Thursday morning was a stunner when Parise was not one of the players on the ice for the optional morning skate ahead of their contest against the Minnesota Wild.

When we brought it up to New York Islanders forward and fellow Minnesotan Brock Nelson, he laughed about his absence

“That’s such a good point. I can’t wait to tell him that. I can’t wait to tell him that it was observed by more than just me,” Nelson said.  “I’m going to tell him you guys were questioning his worth ethic.”

Work ethic is the one thing that can never be questioned about Parise.

Defenseman Noah Dobson had to think hard about the last time the 38-year-old missed a skate, agreeing that he certainly deserved an off day.

Parise was the only player for the Islanders to play in all 82 games last season and has yet to miss a game this season. On Thursday night, he plays not just his hometown team in the Minnesota Wild, but a team he spent nine seasons with before being bought out in Sept. of 2021.

Maybe, he was just preparing accordingly for a revenge game.

Parise is a player that leads by example in every facet, somethign his head caoch Lane Lambert touched on Thursday morning.

“Just his continued commitment and work ethic and his consistency game in and game out,” Lambert said about what Parise brings. “That’s a real bonus for us, not only for our young players to see but also for some of the guys that have been around for four or five years.”