Mika Zibanejad Bio
Mika Zibanejad (born 18 April 1993) is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Swedish national team. Zibanejad was selected sixth overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators. He made the Senators lineup out of training camp to start the 2011–12 season, but was returned to Djurgårdens IF in Sweden after scoring one point in nine NHL games with Ottawa. Zibanejad has represented Sweden on the international stage, helping the junior team win the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the senior team win the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Early Life and Background
Mika Zibanejad was born in Huddinge, Sweden. He was raised in a family with diverse cultural backgrounds; his father, Mehrdad, is from Iran, and his mother, Ritva, is from Finland. Zibanejad’s father left Iran in 1983 due to religious persecution, and his family has since settled in Sweden. Zibanejad began playing hockey at the age of six, initially playing association football before fully committing to ice hockey. He played for Hammarby IF for seven seasons until the club went bankrupt in 2008. Following this, he joined AIK IF’s youth organization, where he began his junior hockey career.
Path to Hockey
Zibanejad’s hockey journey continued when he was acquired by Djurgårdens IF for the 2009–10 season, where he played in both the J18 and J20 teams. He made his Elitserien debut on 7 December 2010 against Luleå HF and scored his first Elitserien goal on 15 January 2011 against Modo Hockey. His impressive performance led to his selection in the sixth round of the 2010 KHL Junior Draft by Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. On 13 July 2011, Zibanejad signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators, the team that drafted him sixth overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft.
Mika Zibanejad Career
Early Career (2010–2016)
Zibanejad’s NHL career began with the Ottawa Senators, where he joined the team for the 2011–12 season after an impressive training camp. He registered his first career NHL point in his debut game, an assist on a goal by Filip Kuba. However, after nine games with the Senators, he was reassigned to Djurgårdens IF. In the 2015–16 season, Zibanejad achieved a career-high with 21 goals and 30 assists.
Breakthrough (2016–Present)
On 18 July 2016, Zibanejad was traded to the New York Rangers, where he quickly established himself as a key player. He suffered a significant injury during the 2016 season but returned to help the Rangers make the playoffs. Zibanejad scored the overtime winning goal in Game 5 of the 2017 NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Montreal Canadiens. In the following seasons, he continued to excel, reaching the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career and leading the team in scoring.
Notable Works and Milestones
Zibanejad has made history by becoming the third player in Rangers history to score five goals in a game during a match against the Washington Capitals. He has also been recognized as one of the NHL’s top players, being named an alternate captain for the Rangers and selected for the NHL All-Star game.
Mika Zibanejad Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Mika Zibanejad has received several nominations for his outstanding performance on the ice, showcasing his talent and contributions to his teams.
Mika Zibanejad Awards Won
Mika Zibanejad has been recognized with various awards for his achievements in ice hockey, reflecting his skill and dedication to the sport.
Mika Zibanejad Family
Mika Zibanejad is married to Irma Helin, a Swedish footballer and sportscaster. The couple has one child together. Zibanejad’s family background includes a diverse cultural heritage, with his father originating from Iran and his mother from Finland.
Personal Life
Zibanejad is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Persian, Finnish, and Swedish. He has a half-brother, Monir Kalgoum, who is also involved in ice hockey, having played professionally in various European leagues. Zibanejad’s passion for music has led him to pursue a career as a DJ and music producer, releasing several songs and performing at notable music festivals.
