Zach Parise Getting To Know Wild Fans (Video)

Zach Parise is the All-Star left wing for the Minnesota Wild. Prior to joining the Wild, Parise spent the first seven seasons of his career with the New Jersey Devils. While with the Devils, Parise put together several good years, with the 2008-2009 campaign being his best, scoring 45 goals and tallying 49 assists. During the 2012 NHL playoffs, Parise really shinned, posting eight goals and seven assists, helping the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they would eventually lose to the Los Angeles Kings in six games.

Parise also served as co-captain of the 2010 United States Men's Hockey team, helping them advance to the Gold Medal game of the Vancouver Olympics, eventually losing to Canada in overtime.

During this past offseason, Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter were the two biggest free agents in hockey. After a bevy of speculation, Parise and Suter each signed 13-year/$98 million contracts with the Wild. The signings really energized what has been an otherwise downtrodden franchise over the past few years.

Acquiring Parise was especially important for the Wild and the state of Minnesota, which is considered “the state of hockey.” Parise grew up in Bloomington, located 15 minutes from the Xcel Energy Center, the Wild's home arena in downtown St. Paul. His father J.P played nine seasons with the old Minnesota North Stars.

Sunday, the above iFolloSports.com original video shows Parise posing for photos with fans at a Best Buy store, in the Twin Cities suburb of Roseville. The pictures were taken by a professional photographer.

Parise was dressed very casually, while coming off as extremely cordial to every Wild fan in attendance.

Judging by the buzz the signings created, the Wild should be a very prominent team for many years to come.