After the game, Zuccarello, as many had assumed, was sent back to Hartford.
Not bad for a first effort for “The Norwegian Hobbit.”
Here’s the official release:
New York, December 23, 2010 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Mats Zuccarello has been assigned to the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Zuccarello, 23, made his NHL debut in tonight’s 4-3 shootout loss vs. Tampa Bay, logging 17:52 of ice time and notching a goal in the shootout. Zuccarello returns to Connecticut where he has registered 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points, along with 16 penalty minutes in 32 games this season. He has recorded a point in five of the last six AHL games, tallying four goals and four assists over the span, and has recorded 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in the last 20 games with the Whale. He is tied for second among AHL rookies and ranks second on the team in goals, and is tied for third in the league among rookies and third on the Whale in scoring with 24 points. He is also tied for second on the team with 97 shots on goal, fourth with three power play goals and ranks fifth in assists. Zuccarello posted an AHL career-high, four points, including his first career hat trick in a 7-1 win vs. Bridgeport on November 7. He made his AHL debut on October 9 vs. Charlotte, and tallied his first career point with a goal on October 15 at Albany.
The Oslo, Norway native signed with the Rangers as a free agent on May 26, 2010
