Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mika Zibanejad

How Mika Zibanejad built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mika Zibanejad is a Swedish professional ice hockey player, currently a centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers in the NHL. Drafted sixth overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2011, he initially joined the team but was later returned to Sweden for further development. After five seasons with the Senators, Zibanejad was traded to the Rangers in 2016, where he has since become a key player. He also represents Sweden in international competitions.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 1976: Don Murdoch set the mark

On October 12, 1976, Don Murdoch set the mark for the third player in Rangers history to score five goals in a game against the Minnesota North Stars.

1976: Second Player in Rangers History to Post Eight Points

On 5 October 2019, Zibanejad became the second player in Rangers history to post eight points through the first two games of the season, the fourth in franchise history to score six or more points in that span, and the first in both cases since Rod Gilbert in 1976.

February 1983: Mark Pavelich scored five goals

On February 23, 1983, Mark Pavelich became another player in Rangers history to score five goals in a game versus the Hartford Whalers.

1990: Sixth player in NHL history with four-point games

On 5 October 2019, Zibanejad became the sixth player in NHL history with four-point games in each of the first two games of the season, and the first player to do so since John Cullen of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1990.

December 1996: Sergei Fedorov's five goals

On December 26, 1996, Sergei Fedorov completed the quintet of goals in the extra period against the Washington Capitals.

2000: First Rangers Player with Goal Types

On 5 October 2019, Zibanejad became the first Rangers player with an even strength goal, a power play goal, and a short-handed goal in an away game since Petr Nedved in 2000.

2009: Acquired by Djurgårdens IF

For the 2009-10 season, Zibanejad was acquired by Djurgårdens IF to play in the organization's J18-team and J20-team.

December 2010: Elitserien Debut

On December 7, 2010, Zibanejad made his Elitserien debut against Luleå HF.

January 2011: First Elitserien Goal

On January 15, 2011, Zibanejad scored his first Elitserien goal against Tuomas Tarkki of Modo Hockey.

February 2011: Signed contract extension with Djurgården

On February 7, 2011, Zibanejad signed a two-year contract extension with Djurgården.

July 2011: Signed with Ottawa Senators

On July 13, 2011, Zibanejad signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators.

2011: Selected by Ottawa Senators in NHL Entry Draft

In 2011, Mika Zibanejad was selected sixth overall by the Ottawa Senators in the NHL entry draft and he made the Senators lineup out of training camp to start the 2011-12 season.

January 2012: Golden Goal in 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

On January 5, 2012, Mika Zibanejad scored the gold medal-winning goal for Sweden in the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships against Russia, with Sweden winning 1-0.

June 2012: Trade Rumors

In June 2012, Zibanejad was rumored to be a key part of a trade package offered by the Ottawa Senators to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Rick Nash. However, the offer was withdrawn when Nash declined to waive his no-trade clause.

August 2012: Senators announce Zibanejad to spend season in North America

In August 2012, the Senators announced Zibanejad would spend the 2012–13 season in North America, either in the NHL with the Senators or with the club's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

2012: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Gold

In 2012, Zibanejad represented Sweden and helped the junior team win the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

January 2013: Called up to Ottawa, Scores First NHL Goal

In January 2013, Zibanejad was called up to Ottawa and played his first NHL game of the season on January 29 against the Washington Capitals. On January 30 in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, Zibanejad scored his first career NHL goal against goaltender Peter Budaj.

2014: First Ranger to Achieve Goal Feat in Any Game

On 5 October 2019, Zibanejad became the first Ranger to have an even strength goal, a power play goal, and a short-handed goal in any game since Derek Stepan in 2014.

2015: Career High in Goals and Assists

During the 2015-16 season, Zibanejad achieved a career-high of 21 goals and 30 assists.

July 2016: Traded to New York Rangers

On July 18, 2016, Zibanejad was traded by the Senators to the New York Rangers, along with a 2018 second-round pick, in exchange for Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round pick.

January 2017: Returned to Rangers Lineup

On January 17, 2017, Zibanejad returned to the Rangers lineup against the Dallas Stars after missing 25 games due to a broken fibula. He scored two goals in the game, though the Rangers lost 7-6.

April 2017: Overtime Winning Goal

On April 20, 2017, Zibanejad scored the overtime-winning goal in Game 5 of the 2017 NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Montreal Canadiens.

July 2017: Signed Contract Extension with Rangers

On July 25, 2017, after the Rangers traded Derek Stepan, Zibanejad signed a five-year, $26.75 million contract extension with the Rangers.

2017: Release of "Forever"

In 2017, Mika Zibanejad released the song "Forever".

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May 2018: Goal in 2018 IIHF World Championship

On May 20, 2018, Mika Zibanejad scored a goal in the final for Sweden to help them win the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he finished among the scoring leaders with six goals and five assists.

2018: Release of "Can't Go Back Home"

In 2018, Mika Zibanejad released the song "Can't Go Back Home".

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2018: Rangers receive a second-round pick

In 2018, The New York Rangers received a second-round pick from the Ottawa Senators, as part of the trade for Derick Brassard.

2018: IIHF World Championship Gold

In 2018, Zibanejad represented Sweden and helped the senior team win the IIHF World Championship.

October 2019: Hot Start to 2019-20 Season

In October 2019, Zibanejad began the 2019-20 season strong, scoring a goal and three assists in the Rangers' season opener on October 3 and following it with a hat-trick against the Ottawa Senators on October 5. On October 8, he was named NHL's First Star of the Week.

2019: Release of "Moves" and "Nobody"

In 2019, Mika Zibanejad released two songs: "Moves," featuring Hot Shade and Mike Perry, and "Nobody," also featuring Hot Shade. He also performed at the Summerburst Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden, his first music festival.

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March 2020: Five Goals in a Game

On March 5, 2020, Zibanejad became the third player in Rangers history to score five goals in a game, joining Don Murdoch, who set the mark on October 12, 1976, and Mark Pavelich on February 23, 1983.

2020: Release of "By My Side"

In 2020, Mika Zibanejad released the song "By My Side", featuring Hot Shade and Melina Borglowe.

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March 2021: Hat Trick and Record-Tying Points in a Period

On March 17, 2021, Zibanejad scored a natural hat trick in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers and tied the NHL record for most points in one period with six, a record set in 1978 by Bryan Trottier.

April 2021: Seventh Career Hat Trick

On April 25, 2021, during a game against the Buffalo Sabres, Zibanejad scored his seventh career hat trick, which was his third of the season.

October 2021: Contract Extension and Alternate Captain

On October 10, 2021, Zibanejad signed an eight-year contract extension with the Rangers and was named an alternate captain of the team.

January 2022: Voted to First All-Star Game

On January 18, 2022, Zibanejad was voted to his first All-Star game through the NHL "Last Men In" fan vote but decided not to attend for personal reasons.

October 2022: Two Goals and Four Points in a Win

On October 17, 2022, Zibanejad had two goals and four points in a 6–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

2022: Gerard Gallant resignation

After the 2022–23 season, Gerard Gallant resigned and the Rangers hired Peter Laviolette as their head coach.

March 2023: Named One of NHL's Three Stars

For the week of March 20, 2023, Zibanejad was named one of the NHL's three stars, registering five goals and nine points in four games.

December 2023: NHL's Three Stars of the Week

For the week 18-24 December 2023, Zibanejad was named as one of the NHL's three stars of the week, scoring four goals and seven points in three games.

2023: Performance at Lollapalooza Stockholm

In 2023, Mika Zibanejad performed at Lollapalooza Stockholm, DJ'ing a set with fire and pyrotechnics.

February 2024: Rangers Reach 40 Wins

On 28 February 2024, the Rangers were the first team in the NHL to reach 40 wins.

December 2024: Named to Sweden's Roster for 4 Nations Face-Off

On December 4, 2024, Mika Zibanejad was named in Sweden's roster for the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off.

February 2025: Played in the 4 Nations Face-Off

On February 15, 2025, Mika Zibanejad scored the opening goal of the game against Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off, but Sweden ultimately lost the game 4–3 and were eliminated from the tournament after Zibanejad missed the third game due to illness.

April 2025: Rangers Eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff Contention

On April 12, 2025, the New York Rangers were eliminated from the 2025 Stanley Cup playoff contention after a 7–3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

May 2025: Participated in the 2025 IIHF World Championship

Throughout May 2025, Mika Zibanejad played in the 2025 IIHF World Championship. On May 2nd, he was named an alternate captain for Sweden. On May 9th, he scored in the opening game against Slovakia. On May 10th, he scored twice against Austria. On May 14th, he scored against Latvia. On May 22nd, he provided two assists against Czechia. On May 25th, he scored and provided an assist against Denmark to help Sweden win the bronze medal.