Mats Zuccarello

Zuccarello grew up in the suburbs of Løren in Oslo and began playing hockey at age five. After several years at Hasle-Løren, he began playing for Vålerenga, where he stayed until the end of lower secondary school. By that time, he had been scouted by Frisk Asker, which offered him a scholarship at the Norwegian College of Elite Sport, which he accepted.{{cite news|last=Fossheim|first=Kenneth|title=Guttedrømmen går i oppfyllelse|url=http://www.groruddalen.no/index.php?id=4792265|access-date=23 December 2010|newspaper=Groruddalen|date=11 June 2010|language=no|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101161738/http://www.groruddalen.no/index.php?id=4792265|archive-date=1 January 2014}}

Zuccarello is of Italian descent from his mother's side.{{cite web|url=http://www.hockeytime.net/2009/04/30/intervista-allitalo-norvegese-mats-zuccarello/|title=Intervista all'italo norvegese Mats Zuccarello|work=..:: HockeyTime ::.. Notizie dal mondo dell'hockey|date=30 April 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.vg.no/sport/ishockey/nhl/zuccarello-helt-sykt-aa-bli-matchvinner/a/10028978/|title=Zuccarello: - Helt sykt å bli matchvinner!|date=6 January 2011 }} 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.

Zuccarello began playing full-time for Frisk in the GET-ligaen, Norway's premiere league, as an 18-year-old. He scored 8 points over 21 games as a rookie in 2005–06. The following season, he improved to 59 points over 43 games, third in league scoring behind Jonas Solberg Andersen and Mathis Olimb. In 2007–08, Zuccarello helped Frisk to the best regular season record in the league. Zuccarello finished third in league scoring a second consecutive season with 64 points, as he and Frisk teammates Chris Abbott, Cam Abbott and Marcus Eriksson ranked as the top four GET-ligaen scorers. Zuccarello added 27 points in 15 playoff games as Frisk advanced to the Finals, where they were defeated in six games by the Storhamar Dragons.

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.

File:Mats Zuccarello rangers 2011-02-13.JPG.]]

In the summer of 2010, Zuccarello was signed as a free agent by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) to a two-year, entry-level contract. He began the 2010–11 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale, the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, to adapt to the North American style of hockey and rink dimensions. On 22 December 2010, he was called up to the Rangers following an injury to right winger Marián Gáborík.{{cite news|title=Zuccarello getting first shot at NHL|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547093|author=Cerny, J.|date=22 December 2010|publisher=New York Rangers|access-date=22 December 2010}} He made his NHL debut on 23 December 2010 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the seventh Norwegian player to play in the NHL as well as the second undrafted one. Zuccarello logged 17 minutes and 52 seconds of ice time and registered two shots on goal in his NHL debut. As the game remained tied after overtime, Zuccarello scored in the shootout against Lightning goaltender Dan Ellis. However, the Rangers lost the game 4–3. Though he was reassigned to the Whale immediately after the game,{{cite news|title=Zuccarello returned to Connecticut|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547251|date=23 December 2010|publisher=New York Rangers|access-date=24 December 2010}} the Rangers recalled him for their next game, on 27 December against the New York Islanders.{{cite web|title=Zuccarello returns to Rangers roster|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=547411|date=27 December 2010|publisher=New York Rangers|access-date=24 December 2010}} He earned his first NHL assist during the contest,{{cite web|title=NY Rangers 7, NY Islanders 2|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=AmHS9DUACz.XXr2eZx7GJEgrvLYF?gid=2010122713|publisher=Yahoo!|access-date=2010-12-28}} tying defenceman Anders Myrvold for the Norwegian player with the fewest games played before recording an NHL point.{{cite web|title=Norwegian NHL-records |author=Olasveengen, F |url=http://www.hockey.no/t2.asp?p=4920&x=1&a=194620 |publisher=NIHF |access-date=2010-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724075201/http://www.hockey.no/t2.asp?p=4920&x=1&a=194620 |archive-date=24 July 2011 }} The Rangers won the game 7–2. Nine days later, in his sixth game, Zuccarello scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Cam Ward three minutes into overtime, leading the Rangers to a 2–1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.{{cite web|title=Zuccarello's OT goal lifts Rangers over Hurricanes|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2011010513|author=Podell, I.|publisher=Yahoo!|date=5 January 2011|access-date=2011-01-06}} On 1 April 2011 he was reassigned to Connecticut after playing 41 games for the Rangers.{{cite web|title=Zuccarello assigned to Whale|url=http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=557928|publisher=newyorkrangers.com|access-date=2011-04-01}}

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.{{cite web|title=Semin's OT goal lifts Caps past Rangers, 2–1|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010030111&navid=sb:recap|author=Corey Masisak|publisher=nhl.com|date=14 April 2011|access-date=2011-04-14}}

On 1 June 2012, Zuccarello confirmed he had signed a two-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).{{cite web|url=http://www.nrk.no/sport/ishockey/1.8173915|title="Zucca" forlater Rangers|author=NRK|work=NRK|date=June 2012 }} However, he returned to the NHL and the Rangers after the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

On 28 March 2013, Zuccarello agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.{{cite web|url=http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/looking-for-offense-rangers-bring-back-zuccarello/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0|title=Looking for Offense, Rangers Bring Back Zuccarello|work=The New York Times|date=28 March 2013 }} 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/washington-capitals-routed-by-new-york-rangers-in-game-7-of-2013-nhl-playoff-series/2013/05/13/be8925fe-bc2a-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html|title=Washington Capitals routed by New York Rangers in Game 7 of 2013 NHL playoff series|newspaper=Washington Post}}

Zuccarello re-signed with the Rangers at the end of the 2012–13 season for another one-year contract, worth $1.15 million.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/rangers-resign-lw-zuccarello-174017102--nhl.html|title=Rangers resign LW Zuccarello|date=30 July 2013|work=Yahoo Sports}} The 2013–14 season turned out to be a breakout season for Zuccarello. He tallied career highs in goals, assists and team-highs in points, as his contributions helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals, where they faced-off against the Los Angeles Kings. Although New York lost the series 4–1, Zuccarello made history by becoming the first Norwegian to ever participate in the Stanley Cup Finals. His all-around game also took a step forward throughout the season, as he established himself as a hard worker with the ability to get under the skin of his opponents. His work was recognized by being awarded the 2013–14 Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.

On 22 July 2014, Zuccarello agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Rangers.{{Cite web|url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=457718|title = Rangers, Zuccarello agree on one-year, $3.5m deal|date = 22 July 2014|access-date = 22 July 2014|website = TSN.ca|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140723061327/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=457718|archive-date = 23 July 2014|df = dmy-all}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Strang|first1=Katie|title=Rangers, Mats Zuccarello agree|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/12406457/new-york-rangers-mats-zuccarello-agree-terms-4-year-18-million-contract-extension|website=ESPN|publisher=ESPN|access-date=12 December 2017|date=2 March 2015}} 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.

File:Mats Zuccarello - New York Rangers.jpg

At the beginning of the 2015–16 season, Zuccarello got off to a fast start in his return, quickly becoming the team leader in scoring. On 30 October, Zuccarello recorded a hat-trick (the first of his NHL career) against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and on 15 November, he scored the game-winning goal in another game against the Maple Leafs, with less than one minute remaining in regulation. In his comeback season, Zuccarello scored a career-high 26 goals, with 35 assists. His performance, coupled with his tremendous effort, especially returning to the ice after the aforementioned injury the previous postseason, culminated in Zuccarello winning the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award again and being selected as a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy for the 2015–16 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkrangers/2016/05/02/mats-zuccarello-named-a-finalist-for-the-bill-masterton-trophy/|title=Mats Zuccarello Named a Finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy|publisher=Sports Media 101|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603194457/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkrangers/2016/05/02/mats-zuccarello-named-a-finalist-for-the-bill-masterton-trophy/|archive-date=3 June 2016|url-status=dead}}

To start the 2017–18 season, Zuccarello was named an alternate captain of the Rangers on 4 October 2017.{{cite news|last1=Brooks|first1=Larry|title=The heart and soul of the Rangers deserves this honor|url=https://nypost.com/2017/10/04/the-heart-and-soul-of-the-rangers-deserves-this-honor/|access-date=12 December 2017|publisher=The New York Post|date=4 October 2017}} On 12 March 2018, Zuccarello recorded his 100th career NHL goal, in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, which the Rangers won 6–3.{{cite web|last1=Stephenson|first1=Colin|title=Jimmy Vesey nets hat trick in Rangers' victory over Carolina|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/rangers/rangers-hurricanes-1.17348084|website=newsday.com|access-date=12 March 2018|date=12 March 2018|quote=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.}} On 23 October 2018, Zuccarello became the ninth player in Rangers history to lead the team in points for three consecutive seasons, joining Jaromír Jágr, Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, Andy Bathgate, Bryan Hextall Sr., Cecil Dillon, Bill Cook and Frank Boucher.

With the Rangers in a rebuild, Zuccarello was traded to the Dallas Stars on 23 February 2019, in exchange for a 2019 conditional second-round pick and a 2020 conditional third-round pick.{{cite web |last1=Cyrgalis |first1=Brett |title=Emotional day as Rangers trade Zuccarello to Stars for two picks |url=https://nypost.com/2019/02/23/rangers-trade-mats-zuccarello-to-dallas-for-two-draft-picks/ |website=New York Post |date=24 February 2019 |access-date=24 February 2019}}{{cite news|last=Kreda|first=Allan |title=Rangers Trade Mats Zuccarello to Stars for 2 Draft Picks|date=23 February 2019|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/23/sports/mats-zuccarello-rangers-stars-trade.html|access-date=10 February 2022}} He debuted with the Stars the same day against the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored his first goal with the team during the second period but later suffered an upper-body injury forcing him to miss the third period of play. Afterwards, the Stars announced he was expected to miss at least four weeks to recover.{{cite web |last=King |first=Scott |title=Zuccarello scores, then injured in Stars debut in win against Blackhawks|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-chicago-blackhawks-game-recap/c-305169490 |website=NHL.com |access-date=25 February 2019 |date=24 February 2019}} Zuccarello returned for the playoffs but the Stars were eliminated by the St. Louis Blues in double overtime of game seven in the second round.{{cite news|last1=Blackburn|first1=Pete|last2=Skiver|first2=Kevin|date=8 May 2019|title=Stanley Cup Playoffs 2019: Blues beat Stars in 2OT thriller to advance to Western Conference Final |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/stanley-cup-playoffs-2019-blues-hosting-stars-ben-bishop-in-decisive-game-7/|access-date=10 February 2022}}

Having left the Stars as a free agent, Zuccarello signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on 1 July 2019.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/mats-zuccarello-five-year-contract-070119/c-308139456 | title = Wild, Mats Zuccarello agree on five-year contract | publisher = Minnesota Wild | date = 1 July 2019 | access-date = 1 July 2019}}

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.{{cite news | url=https://insidetherink.com/minnesota-wilds-top-line-makes-franchise-history/ | title=Minnesota Wild's Top Line Makes Franchise History | newspaper=Inside the Rink | date=17 April 2022}}

On 29 September 2023, Zuccarello signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract extension with the Wild.{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Sarah McLellan Star |title=Wild sign Mats Zuccarello and Marcus Foligno to contract extensions |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-wild-mats-zuccarello-two-year-8-25-million-contract-extension/600308581/ |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=Star Tribune}} The extension will keep Zuccarello in Minnesota through the 2025–26 season.

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{{MedalCountry | Team Europe }}

{{MedalSport | Ice hockey }}

{{MedalCompetition|World Cup}}

{{MedalSilver | 2016 Toronto |}}

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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.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Ice hockey stats}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110724075201/http://www.hockey.no/t2.asp?p=4920&x=1&a=194620 Norwegian NHL records]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zuccarello, Mats}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Connecticut Whale (AHL) players

Category:Dallas Stars players

Category:Frisk Asker Ishockey players

Category:Hartford Wolf Pack players

Category:Hasle-Løren IL players

Category:Ice hockey people from Oslo

Category:Ice hockey players at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Category:Ice hockey players at the 2014 Winter Olympics

Category:Metallurg Magnitogorsk players

Category:Minnesota Wild players

Category:Modo Hockey players

Category:New York Rangers players

Category:Norwegian ice hockey right wingers

Category:Norwegian people of Sicilian descent

Category:Olympic ice hockey players for Norway

Category:Undrafted National Hockey League players