Parrish: from doghouse to captain

Hard work and an inhaler to relieve asthma turned around his season.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: January 31, 2007 - 9:30 PM

DENVER - Everybody always knew Jacques Lemaire had an American bias.

Today, the Wild enters the fifth month in its captaincy rotation, and the Canadians and Europeans have yet to unseat the Americans.

Michigan's Brian Rolston wore the 'C' for three months. Rhode Island's Keith Carney donned it in December. And tonight, when the Wild visits the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota's own Mark Parrish, who turns 30 on Friday, will be the new captain of his hometown Wild.

Why so many Americans?

"Figure it out," cracked Rolston.

"Good leaders," joked Parrish.

Even Calgary native Wes Walz wondered aloud, "Maybe I should get my green card."

In a span of six weeks, Parrish, a former standout at Bloomington Jefferson High and St. Cloud State, has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse. After signing a five-year, $13.25 million contract (longest deal in franchise history), Parrish couldn't find his way the first two months.

Lemaire felt Parrish was out of shape and the six-time 20-goal scorer was in Lemaire's doghouse, bouncing from line to line and averaging 13 minutes a game.

Now, Lemaire's eyes light up when Parrish's name is mentioned.

"He's been really good for us," Lemaire said. "He's been a good worker, a good example. He's never stopped working. Unselfish. He could have scored a goal in the open net [Tuesday in St. Louis]. He gave it to Pav [Demitra]. It's little things like that that shows you're a team player and that we appreciate."

Parrish, who is second on the Wild with 14 goals, was shocked when handed the captaincy before Wednesday's practice.

"I actually kind of started laughing," said the former Avalanche draft pick. "I didn't expect it at all. I'm very proud to get an opportunity."

Parrish's first duty as captain was to hold the door for all his teammates as they walked into the Pepsi Center.

"How old are you, Parrie?" jokester Mikko Koiva asked, poking and prodding. "Man, I hope it doesn't take me 10 years to be captain."

Lemaire credits assistant coach Mario Tremblay for "getting [Parrish] in good shape. The extra work paid off for him big-time."

But Parrish says there was a reason for his early-season struggles. After undergoing tests with trainer Don Fuller, Parrish learned he had asthma and now uses an inhaler.

"I couldn't figure out why I couldn't catch any wind," Parrish said. "It wasn't that I was out of shape at all."

Parrish's first game as captain is a big one. Colorado is hot on Minnesota's tail for eighth in the West. The Avalance will be two points back with a victory, six back with a loss.

"We talked yesterday about how important it was to bury St. Louis," Walz said. "They're 10 points behind us now. That's a lot of ground to make up. That game was big. This game's even bigger."

Michael Russo • mrusso@startribune.com