In 2009, British Lebanese artist Mika had a big hit with “We Are Golden,” a follow-up to his global hit “Grace Kelly.”
Back then, another Mika – Zibanejad in Sweden – was taking his first strides toward the top of the hockey world, playing his first games with Team Sweden’s U16 national team. Since then, his national team career has carried the same golden theme as Mika’s single.
Zibanejad scored the only goal of the game, an OT winner at the 2012 IIHF U20 World Championship when Sweden won the tournament for the first time in 31 years. In 2018, Zibanejad’s goal sent the final to overtime, and then a shootout where Sweden won gold.
Today, he’s 32, a beloved member of Tre Kronor and an established NHL star who goes by his first name in his home country – “probably mostly because my last name is too difficult,” he jokes – and now he’s back for more. In his hometown, no less.
“It’s special to play in a world championship in Sweden, an opportunity like this probably only comes once in my career … unless there’s an oldtimers’ version,” he quips.
Before Zibanejad left for Ottawa back in 2011, Avicii Arena and Hovet next door – where the teams practice during the Ice Hockey World Championship – were his home arenas.
“For me, it’s a special feeling to play in Globen, even though it doesn’t look the same as it did when I used to play there,” Zibanejad says, referring to the fact that the arena underwent a major renovation and completed in time for the tournament.
“And playing in front of our fans, and seeing the yellow wall behind the net, it’s phenomenal,” he adds.
Swedish fans definitely appreciate having their local boy back in Avicii and Zibanejad gets the loudest ovations when the lineups are introduced. And why not? He’s one of the leaders on Team Sweden, he scores big goals, plays for the high-profile New York Rangers – and he still has that boy next door charm, his big smile never far away.
“Obviously, he’s grown and matured over the years, but he still has the same modesty and humility he had when we were younger,” says Max Friberg, one of five players from that 2012 World Juniors gold medal team now playing for Sweden in Stockholm. (The others are Jonas Brodin, Filip Forsberg, and William Karlsson)
“He’s done whatever it took to become the best version of himself, and when you have strong fundamental values, things will go right….
Back then, another Mika – Zibanejad in Sweden – was taking his first strides toward the top of the hockey world, playing his first games with Team Sweden’s U16 national team. Since then, his national team career has carried the same golden theme as Mika’s single.
Zibanejad scored the only goal of the game, an OT winner at the 2012 IIHF U20 World Championship when Sweden won the tournament for the first time in 31 years. In 2018, Zibanejad’s goal sent the final to overtime, and then a shootout where Sweden won gold.
Today, he’s 32, a beloved member of Tre Kronor and an established NHL star who goes by his first name in his home country – “probably mostly because my last name is too difficult,” he jokes – and now he’s back for more. In his hometown, no less.
“It’s special to play in a world championship in Sweden, an opportunity like this probably only comes once in my career … unless there’s an oldtimers’ version,” he quips.
Before Zibanejad left for Ottawa back in 2011, Avicii Arena and Hovet next door – where the teams practice during the Ice Hockey World Championship – were his home arenas.
“For me, it’s a special feeling to play in Globen, even though it doesn’t look the same as it did when I used to play there,” Zibanejad says, referring to the fact that the arena underwent a major renovation and completed in time for the tournament.
“And playing in front of our fans, and seeing the yellow wall behind the net, it’s phenomenal,” he adds.
Swedish fans definitely appreciate having their local boy back in Avicii and Zibanejad gets the loudest ovations when the lineups are introduced. And why not? He’s one of the leaders on Team Sweden, he scores big goals, plays for the high-profile New York Rangers – and he still has that boy next door charm, his big smile never far away.
“Obviously, he’s grown and matured over the years, but he still has the same modesty and humility he had when we were younger,” says Max Friberg, one of five players from that 2012 World Juniors gold medal team now playing for Sweden in Stockholm. (The others are Jonas Brodin, Filip Forsberg, and William Karlsson)
“He’s done whatever it took to become the best version of himself, and when you have strong fundamental values, things will go right….
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