Zuccarello set for an emotional return to MSG
Mats Zuccarello played 509 regular season games and another 60 contests in the playoffs for the Rangers. There are so many great highs in Zucc’s Blueshirts career, topped with the 2014 run to the Cup, but he was loved for his heart. Before he makes his 1st appearance at MSG since the trade tonight, it was his heart that made him so special.
I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone just how special Zuccarello is. I wanted to remind everyone of his numerous Steven McDonald Extra Effort Awards and the countless smiles he’s brought to fans and teammates. Most of all, I wanted to remind you about the time Zuccarello almost died playing for the name on the front of the jersey.
Scary Injury
In 2015, the pain of the Rangers losing in the Eastern Conference Final was terrible for fans and players alike. Although one Ranger was dealing with pain and fear on a completely different scale. TV2 in Norway provided excellent insight into the immediate days of terror Mats Zuccarello was dealing with after a slapshot fractured his skull.
“CLUNK!” That’s the sound Ryan McDonagh‘s shot made off the helmet of fellow teammate Zuccarello. The small winger with a huge heart was battling a Penguins defenseman in front and was just in the wrong place at the worst time.
Zuccarello got back to the bench, likely on adrenaline alone. When he was about to sit, the damage fully hit him. He looked spaced and appeared to be having difficulty collecting himself. Jim Ramsey immediately took him to the locker room where Zuccarello skated to on his own power. Most assumed concussion, but no one could know just how bad it was.
Terrifying Time
“When I got to the locker room I could not talk, and I did not really know what happened. When I got to the (hospital) I realized that it was serious and I was afraid. But they were very good at the hospital to assure me that I was going to get well”, Zuccarello explained.Flag Lien, TV2
Once Mats went to the hospital, his mother Anita flew in to see her son. This was pretty serious. One of Zuccarello’s close friends, Glenn Jensen was informed his buddy was in bad shape. It wasn’t until they Skyped that Jensen felt that sick feeling in his stomach, the one you get when someone you care about is in trouble.
“At first I thought he (was) kidding, he pulled a joke. Then I realized the seriousness, and there was nothing in particular. It’s pretty nasty to see people you care about getting hurt. I saw him in pain, and it was not fun to watch. One that tends to be so full of life and love to talk, was not so happy anymore”, says Jensen. Vittersø Kvamme, TV2
Over the period of several days, Zuccarello had serious difficulty speaking and was having troubling feeling. The effects of the brain trauma were griping him with fear. The doctors continued to quell that fear by reassuring him that he would make a full recovery, but anyone would still be afraid while going through the experience.
Recovery
After the season was over, Mats opened up about what happened to the press. “I got a fractured skull, and blood on the brain that made (me unable to) talk.” He continued to tell TV2 about his issues, “I also lost feeling in my arm and face. It was tough at first, and I was scared. I could not walk, or touch me on the first two or three weeks.”
As Zuccarello started recovering, he began to work with a speech therapist. “I did not get out a few words (for) four to five days, but once the blood went out of the brain (my speech) came more and more back. It’s not one hundred percent yet, but it gets better and better”, Zuccarello told TV2.
During this time, his teammates not only had to deal with the pressures of the NHL Playoffs, but genuine concern for their friend. Chris Kreider summed it up on break up day, “It was real upsetting, but at the same time very inspirational and motivating to see him bounce back like he did.”
Zuccarello has made a full recovery but that was a frightening experience for us all. After having watched Zuccarello all these years, you can see his heart is so big and his courage is even bigger. The clock on his tenure as a Ranger ticked to zero and tonight is time to show our appreciation.
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