To use Zuccarello stardom his – Aftenposten

For Mats Zuccarello was fun and play a natural part of growing up. In August he sees how money from Zuccarello All Star Game gives children in Tanzania the same opportunity.

STAVANGER ( Aftenbladet): – I am very excited to experience first hand what the money goes and how Right to Play are actually working. I’ve been told a lot since I became involved in the organization, but there is something very special to visit Tanzania and meet kids who are actually affected by the aid, says Mats Zuccarello to Aftenbladet.

There is scant two months ago, he suffered a severe head injury in the Stanley Cup quarterfinals for the New York Rangers. When we show him Right to Play their own photos of the projects in Tanzania, lit NHL star up.

27-year-old has had a tough time since he suffered a fractured skull and brain hemorrhage as his shot from a teammate hit him in head on April 24. Zuccarello lost both speech and partial movement after the incident, and have learned to appreciate the little things in life the last eight weeks.

Brenner for the case

Friday he does finally comeback on the ice in his own charity event Zuccarello All Star Game DNB Arena. Last year overall show the fight and the subsequent auction dinner in 1.3 million to the education of children and youth in developing countries by means of sport and play.

This year, the Norwegian Rangers’ star with the full four teammates from NHL team in the NHL and a whole bunch of current and former athletes, celebrities and artists. Scant 4,000 tickets have been sold. The goal is to exceed 2014 bring 1.5 million to Tanzania.

– The reason I chose Right to Play is just the organization’s focus on the use of fun and games to help disadvantaged children. I’ve always been a very playful person, and fun and games was a big part of my own childhood. Not all children who are so privileged, even though it should be obvious. The world is unfair, and it feels good to be able to contribute to something that I burn really, says Oslo guy.

Feeling lucky

He sits in an easy chair in a hotel on Tjensvoll. The handshake is firm, the smile is warm, but her voice still a little shaky. Everyone wants a piece of Mats Zuccarello when he finally meets the press on Norwegian soil.

Along with Rangers pals he replied politely to the questions coming. Most all about injury nightmare he has been through, and it is clear that the largest hockey star not exactly enjoying the huge focus on their own person.

When he becomes far more talkative when we arrive at the real reason why he visiting Stavanger.

– As athletes, we are in a situation where we can take advantage of our position and use it for good purposes. We are lucky to earn so much money doing something we love, and it gives me a good feeling to use my status to something positive. The fact that a small contribution can mean so much is rewarding, seems Zucca.

Struggling speech

1. August, he gets on the plane to South Africa and the capital Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. He travels there in the middle of pre-season to the New York Rangers, the club management without any problems.

– They think it is very positive and cool that I do this, and wish me good trip, says 27-year-old and smiles.

Although he’s excited about what awaits in a world far removed from hockey existence in “The Big Apple”. Also for Zuccarello life has been a bit different the last few months.

– You could say that the injury gave me a wakeup call. It is such a matter of course to chat. I guess I’m as healthy as I can be now, but talking is still not quite good. There are some letters and words that I fail, and there is no guarantee it will be the same. But there is no crisis. I got no unharmed otherwise, then it goes really just fine, says Rangers profile.

The contribution means a lot

He had plenty of time to think new thoughts in the hospital bed and did not think he’d hurt of adversity.

– I was not exactly close to death, and there are many who have worse things to contend with. I’ve been positive all the time and now I’m fit as a fiddle. I look forward to making show in DNB Arena, says Zuccarello.

There is general manager Paul Troye in Right to Play Norway happy. He greatly appreciated the efforts of the Norwegian hockey pro.

– Mats Zuccarello is one of the largest sports profiles and draws up a host of big names to Stavanger. We are very pleased that he is taking this initiative. Zuccarello All Star Game gives great attention to the matter and our organization, in addition to contributing significant funds, says Troye, saying that it was precisely this that was previously skater Johann Olav Koss his wish when he founded the charity in 2000.

– The idea was that his top athletes should contribute and use their position to a good cause. The ambassadors are our high profile people who give something back through a socially beneficial purpose that they can identify with. We know that Zuccarello had a hard time lately. Therefore it is impressive and commendable that he put down a big bet for us, says Troye.

Published: 18.jun. 2015 4:53 p.m.