Washington Capitals’ center Nicklas Backstrom participated in the 2017 Zuccarello All-Star Game Wednesday night at the DNB Arena in Stavenger, Norway.
Backstrom joined event host Mats Zuccarello (Rangers) and current NHL stars including Carl Hagelin (Penguins), Oscar Lindbergh (Rangers), Marcus Johansson (Devils) and Mika Zabinajad (Rangers), and hockey legends including Peter Forsberg, in a charity hockey game all to raise money for “Right To Play“.
The first Zuccarello All Star Game was held in Stavanger, Norway in 2014. Norwegian celebrities from various professions took part in the inaugural game. It all proved to be a massive success, and has been repeated every summer since.
In total the event has raised 4.8 million NOK for the charity organization Right To Play, and various Norwegian hockey players, NHL-stars and legends of the sport have taken part.
Right To Play is a global organization that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity. It was founded in 2000 by Johann Olav Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and social entrepreneur. Through sports and games, the organization helps children build essential life skills and better futures, while driving social change in their communities with lasting impact.
As for the game itself, former Capitals’ winger Marcus Johansson had the assist of the game, setting up hockey legend Peter Forsberg:
Prior to the game, Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson managed to get in a round of golf. They were joined by Rickard Rakell (Ducks) and Oscar Lindbergh (Rangers) at the Stavenger Golf Club.
Matchdag. Men dom här fyra herrarna orka inte hålla sig från golfen. Rakell,Mackan,Bäckström o Linus va på Stavanger GK 08.00 idag. pic.twitter.com/pVdHBbOfr0
— Gunnar Johansson (@GunnarJ13891408) August 16, 2017
Additional photos from the event:
Miss MoJo. Great between-the-legs pass to Forsberg
Pingback: Nicklas Backstrom to participate in Henrik Lundqvist and Mats Zuccarello’s Summer Classic | NoVa Caps
Pingback: Outdoor Hockey in August: The 2018 “Henke and Zucca” Summer Classic Set in Oslo, Norway | NoVa Caps