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 . Playing career . 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 .