Zach Parise named captain of U.S. hockey team

Team USA's Zach Parise (9) goes against Switzerland in the 2010 Olympics.

Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild will be the captain of the U.S. men’s hockey team at the Sochi Olympics.

Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter and Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings will be the alternate captains, U.S. general manager David Poile announced today.

The 29-year-old Parise was an alternate captain at the Vancouver Olympics four years ago, scoring the goal that sent the gold-medal game into overtime.

U.S. coach Dan Bylsma says Parise’s blue-collar approach is exemplary of the attitude he wants for his team.

Brown is the longtime captain of the Kings. Suter’s father, Bob, won a gold medal with the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980.

The American team will hold its first practice in Sochi late on Feb. 10, three days before its first game.