Mats Zuccarello

Mats Zuccarello is all about creating equal opportunities and enabling kids and young people to experience the pure joy of sports throughout Norway. At Arctic, we are happy to support him on this important mission. Fun fact: Mats holds the record for most money raised for charities by an athlete in Norway.

In 2020, Zuccarello and Arctic started the “Match Mats” powered by Arctic campaign where enlisted sponsors, alongside Mats himself, donates NOK 1,000 for every goal or goal contribution he makes.

Arctic is proudly matching Mats to help him providing kids and youngsters the possibility to play sports regardless of their financial background. The need for inclusion and unity is arguably greater than ever – which is why sports is so important for young people. Together we can make a real difference and ensure that no children are left behind.

Arctic is rooting for Mats, and we firmly believe that our ambassador will continue to assist, score goals, and raise big money.

In 2016, Arctic Ambassador Mats Zuccarello started The Zuccarello Foundation, to ensure that underprivileged youth in Norway would have access to sports. Zuccarello Foundation aims to reduce exclusion among kids and youth, by working to give all children and young people the opportunity to participate in sports and physical activity. Through the Zuccarello Foundation, Mats will use his name and his commitment to help children and adolescents gain access to sports and physical activity. So that they can take part in the same sporting joy that has meant so much to him both personally and professionally .His mantra is that no one should be left on the sideline. The aim is not to foster the next professional athlete or superstar. It is to ensure that anyone who wants to participate in sports will have the opportunity to do so – without being stopped by financial or other roadblocks. 

Zuccarello grew up in the suburbs of Løren in Oslo and began playing hockey at age five. After several years at Hasle-Løren, he began playing for Vålerenga, where he stayed until the end of lower secondary school. By that time, he had been scouted by Frisk Asker, which offered him a scholarship at the Norwegian College of Elite Sport, which he accepted.

Today, Mats plays professional ice hockey as a winger for the Minnesota Wild in NHL. He has previously played for the New York Rangers and Dallas Stars. Prior to joining the NHL, Zuccarello played for Modo Hockey in Sweden, where he was awarded the Golden Helmet as the most valuable player in the Swedish Hockey League. Mats is widely regarded as a fan favorite and one of the best players in the NHL.