Dustin Brown an alternate captain for Team USA

Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild was appointed captain of the U.S. men’s hockey team for the upcoming Sochi Olympics, with Kings captain Dustin Brown and Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter appointed the alternate captains.

Parise was an alternate captain of the 2010 U.S. team that won a silver medal at the Vancouver Olympics and was the captain of the New Jersey Devils before he left as a free agent to sign with the Wild.

Team USA General Manager David Poile said the coaching staff had identified Parise as its choice for the captaincy through conversations during and after the brief orientation camp last summer.

“Zach has represented the U.S. in many, many tournaments,” Poile said on Friday. “He was an alternate captain of the 2004 national junior team that brought the U.S. its first ever gold medal in the world junior championship. He played on the U.S. men’s national team in 2008 and was an alternate captain. He was the captain of the New Jersey Devils. He was an alternate captain of our 2010 team in Vancouver.”

Team USA Coach Dan Bylsma said the quality of leadership was among the strengths of the team, saying: “As this team came together, you look at 10 players that have been a captain or assistant captain on their team.”

Regehr hits 1,000

The Kings will celebrate another career achievement as defenseman Robyn Regehr will be playing in his 1,000th NHL regular-season game. They will honor him in a pregame ceremony Saturday.

Regehr, who was acquired last season in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres, played most of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. He has eight points in 56 games this season, more offensive production than the likes of forwards Kyle Clifford, Trevor Lewis and Matt Frattin.

UP NEXT FOR THE KINGS

VS. PHILADELPHIA

When: 1 p.m.

On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 1150.

Etc.: Kings forwards Mike Richards and Jeff Carter will be playing against their former Philadelphia teammates. Richards faced the Flyers once in his first season with the Kings, at Philadelphia, in 2011-12. Carter, who was traded to Columbus before moving to the Kings in 2012, has not played against the Flyers since getting dealt.

helene.elliott@latimes.com

lisa.dillman@latimes.com