U.S. names Zach Parise captain

— -- The United States men's hockey team named the Wild's  Zach Parise captain for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, with teammate Ryan Suter and Kings forward Dustin Brown serving as alternates.

Parise is an alternate captain for Minnesota and is a former captain of the Devils.

"I can't think of a better group, I can't think of a better captain than Zach Parise to lead our team and be our captain," U.S. coach Dan Bylsma said on a Friday conference call.

Parise follows former New Jersey teammate Jamie Langenbrunner as the U.S. Olympic captain. Under Langenbrunner's leadership, the Americans won a silver medal in Vancouver at the 2010 Winter Games.

"I learned a lot from him," Parise said. "There are plenty of guys who wear letters for their own teams. I don't think our team will be lacking in leadership at all."

The Olympics run from Feb. 7-23.