Jets coach Paul Maurice, who coached Mats Zuccarello in the KHL for Metallurg Magnitogorsk during the 2012-13 season, raved about Zuccarello’s enthusiasm for the sport of hockey (credit going here to Pat Leonard of the Daily News for asking the question).
Maurice said, “Mats loves to play…he loves being at the rink skating,” and said that noticeably stood out compared to some of the other KHL players.
“That’s not always true over there,” Maurice said.
In particular, Maurice recalled watching Zuccarello standing by the locker room door, trying to high-five teammates as they went past. Maurice said only maybe a third of Zuccarello’s teammates would actually high five him.
“The other guys looked they like they were going out for a shift (of work),” Maurice said.
“As a coach, you appreciate that,” Maurice said of Zuccarello’s enthusiasm and love for hockey. “You especially appreciate that over there. I thought it was unique over there.”