Legends of Team Canada: Greg Parks

It was shocking news when fit was announced that former NHL player and Canadian Olympian Greg Parks has passed away. He was just 48 years old. No cause of death has been announced.

Parks briefly played with the New York Islanders in the early 1990s. He played for Canada at the Olympics in 1994 before embarking on an interesting international career with stops in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan.

The Edmonton born Parks starred at Bowling Green University from 1985 through 1989, winning the 1987 CCHA championships. With 240 points in 178 collegiate games, Parks was inducted into the University's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Parks was a speedy and skilled player who played bigger than his 5'10" 170-pound body should have allowed. With 74 points in 47 games in his third year, he finally became noticed by National Hockey League scouts. But Parks remained in school and finally signed with the New York Islanders in the summer of 1990. He would play three seasons with the Islanders system, appearing in 23 career games, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists.

Parks contributed to Canada's silver medal winning team at the 1994 Olympics, playing along side the likes of Paul Kariya, Petr Nedved, Corey Hirsch and Adrian Aucoin. He was one of the last players to make the roster. Parks suffered a bruised lung during the Games, scored a goal and 2 assists during the tournament.

Parks extended his professional career by travelling to Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan. Parks returned to Edmonton after his career was over, coaching youth hockey teams and raising three daughters.