Mats Zuccarello

Mats André Zuccarello Aasen (born September 1, 1987) is a Norwegian professional ice hockey winger. He currently plays for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to joining the NHL he played for Modo Hockey in the Swedish Elite League. In 2010, he won the Guldhjälmen (Golden Helmet), which is awarded annually to the most valuable player in the Swedish Hockey League.

Early life
Zuccarello grew up in the suburbs of Løren in Grorud Valley, Oslo. He is of Sicilian and Norwegian ancestry.

At five-years-old, he started playing hockey in Hasle-Løren. After some years in Hasle-Løren, he started playing for Vålerenga where he stayed until the end of lower secondary school] By that time he had been scouted by the Frisk Asker, who offered him a scholarship at the Norwegian College of Elite Sport, which he accepted.

Norway and Sweden
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, Zuccarrello helped the Tigers to the best regular season record in the league. Zucarello finished third in league scoring a second consecutive season with 64 points, as he and Tigers 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 the Tigers advanced to the Finals, where they were defated 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.

New York Rangers
In the summer of 2010, he 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 started the 2010–11 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale, the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate to learn the North American rink dimensions. On December 22, 2010, he was called up to the Rangers following an injury to right winger, Marián Gáborík. He made his NHL debut on December 23, 2010 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the seventh Norwegian player to play in the NHL, and 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. The Rangers lost the game 4–3. Though he was reassigned to the Whale immediately after the game, the Rangers recalled him once more for their next game on December 27, 2010 against the New York Islanders. He earned his first NHL assist during the contest, tying defenceman Anders Myrvold for the Norwegian player with the fewest number of games played before recording an NHL point. 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. On April 1, 2011 he was reassigned to Connecticut after playing 41 games for the Rangers.

On April 13, 2011, Zuccarello became only the second Norwegian to take part in NHL postseason action when the New York Rangers lost 2–1 against the Washington Capitals.

Metallurg Magnitogorsk
On June 1, 2012 Zuccarello confirmed that he had signed a two-year deal with the KHL team Metallurg Magnitogorsk. However, he returned to the NHL and the Rangers after the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

Return to Rangers
On March 28, 2013 Zuccarello agreed to terms on a 1 year deal with the New York Rangers, the club he left at the end of the 11-12 season. Zuccarello played in the last 15 games of the 2012-13 campaign, helping the Rangers reach the NHL 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.

Zuccarello re-signed with the Rangers at the end of the 2012-2013 season for a deal of 1 year at $1.15 million. The 2013-2014 season was a breakout season for Zuccarello. He tallied career highs in goals, assists, and team high in points. His all around game also took a step forward, establishing himself as a hard worker, and ability to get under the skin of his opponents. His work was recognized by being awarded the 2013-14 Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award. He also became the first Norwegian to participate in the Stanley Cup Finals.

On July 22, 2014, Zuccarello agreed to a 1 year deal with the Rangers worth $3.5 million.

International play
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 had to withdraw from the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia due a hand fracture. Zuccarello represented Norway in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Awards

 * 2010: Gullpucken (NIHF)
 * 2010: Guldhjälmen (SHL)
 * 2013-14: Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (NHL)