At times during the 2024-25 season it seemed that Mika Zibanejad has lost his signature smile, and no one could blame the New York Rangers' alternate captain for being deflated based on how things unfolded following a historic year for the franchise. But the smile returned over the weekend for Zibanejad as he captured a Bronze medal with Sweden at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.
Sweden took home the medal in convincing fashion by defeating Nikolaj Ehlers and Denmark by a score of 6-2. During the game Zibanejad netted a goal an assist to help propel the team to victory, and it was a good way for him to end his season of professional hockey.
During the tournament he served as an alternate captain, a role he hold for the Blueshirts, and posted a line of 5-3-8 in 9 games. This is the second time he represented his home country at worlds, and the last time that happened was during the 2017-18 season, another regular season filled with disappointment for the Rangers. Zibanejad posted an impressive line of 6-5-11 in 10 games that year, and was a key contributor for Sweden as they captured the Gold medal.
Now Zibanejad will rest a bit before getting into his regular training regiment to prepare for the upcoming season. The hope is that this international success can serve as a launching point to future success. Winning can be infectious, and the Rangers didn't do a whole lot of that in 2024-25. Zibanejad struggled for most of the year, but adapted nicely to a position change following the acquisition of J.T. Miller, and ended the season strongly with 33 points in his final 32 games.
It is unknown what his role will be under head coach Mike Sullivan, but if he continues to play the way he did to end the season for the Rangers and how he did for Sweden, all parties will be in good shape for 2025-26.