NY Islanders Mathew Barzal credits training method long used by Zach Parise

When the New York Islanders signed Zach Parise two seasons ago (and perhaps part of a third later this season), the organization assumed that his work ethic would have a positive experience on the rest of the team. It did, and it wasn't only his work ethic, but also his workout routine that left an impression on Mathew Barzal.

On the NHL Network's Player's Only segment with Mike Rupp and Thomas Hickey, Rupp brought up Parise's use of ARP (Accelerated Recovery Performance), a technique Rupp watched the 18-year veteran swear by both in New Jersey and in Minnesota.

"I do the ARP too, he was my workout buddy during the season. He's pyscho when it comes to it. I lay off it a little bit during the season, but he's full put the pads on the forehead and do all that stuff, but it's worked! He's played 18 years, 1,200 games, it worked for sure."

"I've enjoyed it, I had some hip issues when I first came into the league," added Barzal. "Nick Leddy would blow me out at skating stuff at the end of practice. I'd be like 'how is this guy so explosive?". I saw how he trained and wanted a taste of it and have been locked in ever since.

Parise started to use the system when it was considered the wave of the future and was being used by only a dozen or so NHL players. ARP uses patented bioelectrical current along with active range-of-motion exercise techniques to speed up the body’s natural recuperative ability as well as prevent muscle-related injuries. The program served Parise well over 1,224 NHL games, including play all 82 in both his seasons on Long Island at ages 37 and 38.

“I’ve always been a pretty hard worker, but I’ve never been as sore as I have doing this stuff,” said Parise back in 2009 in USA Hockey Magazine. “It’s like doing something until you physically can’t do it anymore; that’s how tough it is. It’s unbelievable.”

The Islanders are leaving the door open for Parise to return at some point this season as he weighs chasing another chance at a Stanley Cup versus retiring. GM Lou Lamoriello values his long-standing relationship with the 2003 1st-round pick and feels that his presence is a net positive in the organization. Even with him not being around this season, he still left a lasting impression on Barzal and other teammates over the previous two seasons.