Mats Zuccarello
Mats Zuccarello | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born |
Oslo, Norway | 1 September 1987|||||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | |||||
Weight | 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb) | |||||
Position | Right wing | |||||
Shoots | Left | |||||
NHL team Former teams |
Minnesota Wild Frisk Tigers Modo Hockey New York Rangers Metallurg Magnitogorsk Dallas Stars | |||||
National team |
NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||||
Playing career | 2004–present |
Mats André Zuccarello Aasen (born 1 September 1987) is a Norwegian professional ice hockey winger for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the New York Rangers and Dallas Stars. Prior to joining the NHL, Zuccarello previously played for Modo Hockey in the Swedish Elite League. In 2010, he won the Guldhjälmen (Golden Helmet), awarded annually to the most valuable player in the Swedish Hockey League. He is one of nine Norwegian players to have played in the NHL, and is regarded as the best to have played in the league.[1][2]
Early life
Zuccarello grew up in the suburbs of Løren in
Zuccarello is of Italian descent from his mother's side.[4][5] He has a younger brother, Fabian, who plays in the Norwegian First Division, and a step brother, Robin Dahlstrøm, who played in both Sweden and Norway before retiring in 2021.
Playing career
Norway and Sweden
Zuccarello began playing full-time for Frisk in the
After three seasons in the GET-ligaen, Zuccarello signed with Modo Hockey of the Elitserien, Sweden's premier league. In his first season with Modo, he ranked third in team scoring with 40 points in 35 games. The following season, he led the team with 23 goals. With a league-leading 64 points, he was awarded the Guldhjälmen as the league's most valuable player, as voted by Elitserien players.
New York Rangers
In the summer of 2010, Zuccarello was signed as a
On 13 April 2011, Zuccarello became only the second Norwegian to take part in NHL post-season action when the Rangers lost 2–1 against the Washington Capitals.[13]
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
On 1 June 2012, Zuccarello confirmed he had signed a two-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).[14] However, he returned to the NHL and the Rangers after the 2012–13 NHL lockout.
Return to New York
On 28 March 2013, Zuccarello agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.[15] Zuccarello played in the last 15 games of the 2012–13 campaign, helping the Rangers reach the postseason. He played in all 12 Ranger playoff games, tallying his first playoff goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals.[16]
Zuccarello re-signed with the Rangers at the end of the 2012–13 season for another one-year contract, worth $1.15 million.
On 22 July 2014, Zuccarello agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Rangers.[18]
During the 2014–15 season, Zuccarello agreed to a four-year, $18 million contract worth $4.5 million annually that extends through to the 2018–19 season.[19] He finished fifth on the team in scoring, playing a large role with linemate Rick Nash, having the second-most goals in the NHL, as the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy with the League's best regular season record. Early into the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, Zuccarello was hit in the head by a shot by his own teammate, Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh. It was determined Zuccarello suffered a serious brain contusion and concussion and would most likely miss the rest of the playoffs. But rumors escalated as the Rangers continued their run that he may be available if the Rangers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. However, they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, ending their season.
At the beginning of the
To start the
Dallas Stars
With the Rangers in a rebuild, Zuccarello was traded to the
Minnesota Wild
Having left the Stars as a free agent, Zuccarello signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on 1 July 2019.[27]
On 17 April 2022, during a game against the St. Louis Blues, Zuccarello had broken the Wild team record for most assists in a season when he recorded his 51st and 52nd assists, surpassing teammate Kirill Kaprizov and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (2007–08 season), who held the record at 50. He also recorded his 500th career point, making him the 62nd active NHL player to reach that mark since he entered the league in 2010.[28]
On 29 September 2023, Zuccarello signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract extension with the Wild.[29] The extension will keep Zuccarello in Minnesota through the 2025–26 season.
International play
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing Team Europe | ||
Ice hockey | ||
World Cup | ||
2016 Toronto |
Zuccarello has represented Norway at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in Canada, the 2009 IIHF World Championship, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany. He was forced to withdraw from the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia, however, due to a hand fracture. Zuccarello later represented Norway at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Zuccarello represented Team Europe in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Regular season
|
Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
2003–04 | Frisk Tigers
|
NOR U18 | 24 | 23 | 14 | 37 | 44 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
2003–04 | Frisk Tigers | NOR U19 | 20 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
2004–05 | Frisk Tigers | NOR U18 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2004–05 | Frisk Tigers | NOR U19 | 27 | 19 | 17 | 36 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | ||
2004–05
|
Frisk Tigers | GET
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2005–06 | Frisk Tigers | NOR U19 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
2005–06
|
Frisk Tigers | GET | 21 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
2006–07 | Frisk Tigers | GET | 43 | 34 | 25 | 59 | 36 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | ||
2006–07 | Frisk Tigers | NOR U19 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | ||
2007–08 | Frisk Tigers | GET | 33 | 24 | 40 | 64 | 48 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 24 | ||
2008–09 | Modo Hockey | SEL | 35 | 12 | 28 | 40 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2009–10 | Modo Hockey | SEL | 55 | 23 | 41 | 64 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2010–11 | New York Rangers | NHL | 42 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
2010–11 | Connecticut Whale
|
AHL | 36 | 13 | 16 | 29 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
2011–12 | New York Rangers | NHL | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2011–12 | Connecticut Whale | AHL | 37 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2012–13 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk | KHL | 44 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 30 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||
2012–13 | New York Rangers | NHL | 15 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | ||
2013–14 | New York Rangers | NHL | 77 | 19 | 40 | 59 | 32 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 20 | ||
2014–15 | New York Rangers | NHL | 78 | 15 | 34 | 49 | 45 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
2015–16 | New York Rangers | NHL | 81 | 26 | 35 | 61 | 34 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
2016–17 | New York Rangers | NHL | 80 | 15 | 44 | 59 | 26 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | ||
2017–18 | New York Rangers | NHL | 80 | 16 | 37 | 53 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2018–19 | New York Rangers | NHL | 46 | 11 | 26 | 37 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2018–19 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | ||
2019–20 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 65 | 15 | 22 | 37 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
2020–21 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 42 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
2021–22 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 70 | 24 | 55 | 79 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | ||
2022–23 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 78 | 22 | 45 | 67 | 26 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
2023–24 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 69 | 12 | 51 | 63 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
NHL totals | 835 | 198 | 438 | 636 | 321 | 96 | 18 | 37 | 55 | 60 |
International
Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Norway | U18
|
6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
2005 | Norway | U18 D1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | |
2006 | Norway | WJC | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
2007 | Norway | WJC D1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 2 | |
2008 | Norway | WC | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
2009 | Norway | OGQ | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2009 | Norway | WC | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | |
2010 | Norway | OLY | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
2010 | Norway | WC | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
2014 | Norway | OLY | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
2016 | Norway | WC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
2016 | Norway | OGQ | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | |
2016 | Team Europe | WCH | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
Junior totals | 22 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 20 | |||
Senior totals | 39 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 24 |
Awards and honours
Award | Year | |
---|---|---|
NIHF
| ||
Gullpucken | 2010, 2017 | |
SEL | ||
Guldhjälmen (MVP) | 2010 | |
AHL | ||
All-Star Game
|
2012 | |
New York Rangers | ||
Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award | 2014, 2016, 2017 |
References
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Mats Zuccarello". Minnesota Wild. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- Groruddalen (in Norwegian). Archived from the originalon 1 January 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
- ^ "Intervista all'italo norvegese Mats Zuccarello". ..:: HockeyTime ::.. Notizie dal mondo dell'hockey. 30 April 2009.
- ^ "Zuccarello: - Helt sykt å bli matchvinner!". 6 January 2011.
- ^ Cerny, J. (22 December 2010). "Zuccarello getting first shot at NHL". New York Rangers. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
- ^ "Zuccarello returned to Connecticut". New York Rangers. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- ^ "Zuccarello returns to Rangers roster". New York Rangers. 27 December 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- ^ "NY Rangers 7, NY Islanders 2". Yahoo!. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- NIHF. Archived from the originalon 24 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ Podell, I. (5 January 2011). "Zuccarello's OT goal lifts Rangers over Hurricanes". Yahoo!. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ "Zuccarello assigned to Whale". newyorkrangers.com. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ Corey Masisak (14 April 2011). "Semin's OT goal lifts Caps past Rangers, 2–1". nhl.com. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ NRK (June 2012). ""Zucca" forlater Rangers". NRK.
- ^ "Looking for Offense, Rangers Bring Back Zuccarello". The New York Times. 28 March 2013.
- ^ "Washington Capitals routed by New York Rangers in Game 7 of 2013 NHL playoff series". Washington Post.
- ^ "Rangers resign LW Zuccarello". Yahoo Sports. 30 July 2013.
- ^ "Rangers, Zuccarello agree on one-year, $3.5m deal". TSN.ca. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ Strang, Katie (2 March 2015). "Rangers, Mats Zuccarello agree". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Mats Zuccarello Named a Finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy". Sports Media 101. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- ^ Brooks, Larry (4 October 2017). "The heart and soul of the Rangers deserves this honor". The New York Post. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ Stephenson, Colin (12 March 2018). "Jimmy Vesey nets hat trick in Rangers' victory over Carolina". newsday.com. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
Zuccarello had the game's first goal and an empty- netter of his own with 2:37 left that was the 100th of his NHL career.
- ^ Cyrgalis, Brett (24 February 2019). "Emotional day as Rangers trade Zuccarello to Stars for two picks". New York Post. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- ^ Kreda, Allan (23 February 2019). "Rangers Trade Mats Zuccarello to Stars for 2 Draft Picks". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ King, Scott (24 February 2019). "Zuccarello scores, then injured in Stars debut in win against Blackhawks". NHL.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- ^ Blackburn, Pete; Skiver, Kevin (8 May 2019). "Stanley Cup Playoffs 2019: Blues beat Stars in 2OT thriller to advance to Western Conference Final". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Wild, Mats Zuccarello agree on five-year contract". Minnesota Wild. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Minnesota Wild's Top Line Makes Franchise History". Inside the Rink. 17 April 2022.
- ^ Tribune, Sarah McLellan Star. "Wild sign Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Foligno to contract extensions". Star Tribune. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- Norwegian NHL records