Parise to captain Team USA

Colorado Springs, CO -- Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise on Friday was named captain of the United States men's ice hockey team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Parise served as an alternate captain four years ago in Vancouver, when the U.S. won the silver medal. He tied for the team lead with four goals and eight points, no goal bigger than the one late in regulation in the Gold Medal game against Canada which sent the contest into overtime.

The 29-year-old Parise has 18 goals and 16 assists in 41 games this season. He recently returned to action after missing a month with a foot injury.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter and Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown were named alternate captains.

Brown, who is in his sixth season as captain of the Kings, also was an alternate captain four years ago in Vancouver. He has 10 goals and six assists in 55 games this season.

Suter, who was an alternate captain on the 2010 team, is in his second season as an alternate captain with the Wild. He has six goals and 27 assists in 56 games this season.

The Americans open up preliminary round action against Slovakia on Feb. 13. A North American clash cannot happen until the medal round, as Team USA is in Group A while Canada resides in Group B.