Parise is latest Minnesotan to be enshrined in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

by Robert Brent, Let’s Play Hockey

The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame announced its newest class of inductees Wednesday afternoon, honoring a group that has left an indelible mark on American hockey through their contributions on and off the ice. 

Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Scott Gomez, Tara Mounsey and Bruce Bennett make up the 53rd class in the Hall of Fame’s history. From Stanley Cup Final runs and Olympic gold to trailblazing roles for women and Latino players, and even documenting the game from behind the lens, this class reflects the storied history of American hockey.

Zach Parise

Parise was the lone Minnesotan in this year’s class, born in Minneapolis to J.P. Parise, a Canadian playing for the Minnesota North Stars. Despite his French Canadian heritage, Zach Parise carried the mantle of being an American from the State of Hockey proudly. Upon the announcement of his induction, Parise reflected on what Minnesota meant to his life and career.

“Minnesota has always been a special place for me. Even when I was playing in New Jersey, I always knew at some point I was going to retire here. I grew up here, going through the youth programs, and now everything is coming full circle,” Parise said. “I’m coaching my kids here now; my dad played for the North Stars. Now this (U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction) is here in Minnesota. Everything ends up here one way or another.”

Parise represented the USA several times in international play, including helping the U.S. to its first World Junior Gold Medal in 2004. He also won a silver medal as a member of the 2010 Olympics team. 

As a professional, Parise played more than 1,250 regular-season games and another 122 in the playoffs. He made a run to the Cup Final with the New Jersey Devils in 2012. 

While Parise began his career with the Devils, he notably signed a homecoming deal with the Minnesota Wild, playing nine seasons for his hometown team. The talented forward finished with stints with the New York Islanders and Colorado Avalanche. 

Parise is the 58th Minnesota-born member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Eveleth, MN.

A complete list of U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame members can be found here: HERE

Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski, nicknamed “Captain America”, earned his spot in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame after an illustrious career in the NHL and internationally. 

The Plover, Wisconsin native is one of just eight American-born players to suit up for over 1,300 NHL games. The San Jose Sharks selected Pavelski in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Pavelski became a crucial cog in a Sharks team that regularly made the playoffs and contended for the Stanley Cup. The Wisconsin Badger alum played 13 seasons in San Jose, where he scored 355 goals and amassed 761 points. 

In Dallas, his game continued to flourish. In five seasons with the Stars, Pavelski compiled 307 points, including a career-high 81 in 2021-22. 

Known for his hard-working two-way style and uncanny ability to tip pucks, Pavelski built a reputation as one of the game’s most reliable clutch performers. Pavelski remembers the development of his hand-eye coordination as a key to his success, especially with his teammate, Brent Burns, in San Jose.

“I guess the tipping side was something that was fun,” Pavelski said. “Brent Burns loved to shoot pucks. You’d never get a guy to shoot you 200 pucks in a row, except Brent. And through all those reps, we kind of created a pretty sweet little chemistry.”

The prolific forward represented USA Hockey on several occasions, including a silver medal-winning effort in 2010. He also played on the 2014 team and captained Team USA at the 2016 World Cup. 

Scott Gomez

Scott Gomez was a trailblazer on the ice and is a welcome addition to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Gomez was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but also proudly represented his Mexican and Colombian heritage as the first Latino player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most outstanding rookie.

The U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer retired in 2016 after playing 16 NHL seasons with the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators. 

While Gomez is just now being inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, he’s already been honored as an Alaska Sports Hall of Famer. While Alaska has a great hockey tradition, particularly collegiately, before Gomez, there weren’t many standout Alaskans in the pro ranks. Gomez spoke about that development as a proud achievement.

“My dad always put in my ear that if you’re good enough, they’ll find you, but the goal was college. The Pros were so far away,” Gomez said. “Then you get older and keep getting better and think that you could really play. So that was always my thing. Like my parents said, if you’re good enough, they’ll find you anywhere.”

Gomez reached the height of pro hockey with two Stanley Cups in New Jersey. Now he takes his place among the greats in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Tara Mounsey

From one trailblazer to another, Tara Mounsey earned her spot in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame through a historic career that paved the way for women’s hockey in the United States. 

Mounsey, a Concord, New Hampshire native and Brown graduate, played in the very first Olympic Games to feature women’s hockey. She played a key role on that 1998 Nagano team on their way to a gold medal. The tenacious defender reflects on the experience of playing in the first Olympic tournament as being a crucial moment in her career.

“Playing on that team was incredible. I was one of the younger players on that team, so I was playing with women who really paved the way,” Mounsey said. “To see how women’s ice hockey has just exploded since 1998 is great. It’s incredible to witness the opportunity that these young girls have now on the ice.”

Mounsey was a key figure in creating those opportunities and continues to be an inspiration. Her career, which included another Olympic medal when the USA won silver at the 2002 Olympics, stands as one of the most decorated in women’s hockey.

Bruce Bennett

Bruce Bennett is the lone figure to be inducted who is not primarily known as a player, but his impact on the game is monumental. Bennett has been one of the preeminent hockey photographers for more than 50 years, covering Stanley Cup Finals, Olympic Games, and more.

Bennett has captured over 2.5 million images of NHL action, shot more than 5000 NHL games, six Winter Olympics and 45 Stanley Cup Finals. If you’ve seen images of hockey being played, you’ve likely seen a Bruce Bennett original.

The prolific photographer started his career in 1974 and was the New York Islanders’ team photographer from 1982 to 2004. Over five decades, Bennett has perfected the art of freezing hockey’s most iconic moments.

“It’s those historic moments, the individual, isolated action that we sell so many images of throughout the years,” Bennett said. “It’s the ones that freeze a moment in time that people look back and go, ‘I remember. I was there watching it on television.”

The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Eveleth, Minnesota, has enshrined the legends of the American game since 1973. The Class of 2025 reflects not only individual excellence but also the expanding story of hockey in the United States.