It is the Norwegian association president Tage Pettersen who will receive criticism from Mats Zuccarello after he launched the new goal.
I become despondent. It sounds completely crazy. Then I ask myself: What knowledge do you have about hockey with such a statement? He sounds incredibly stupid, says Zuccarello to TV2 and continues to explain his frustration:
Hockey means a lot to me, so when those who run Norwegian hockey come up with such statements, I notice that I become irritated.
Tage Pettersen responds to the criticism but seems to take it lightly.
To stand in the front makes you a target when it goes badly, and gives you praise when it goes well. It's something I live well with, and I can easily stand in the front line, says Pettersen.
Previously suspended by the association
During the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014, Zuccarello was, among other things, suspended from national team play after a collaboration with a gaming company, which is contrary to the national team's guidelines.
It has become personal for me, he says and develops:
Then I suddenly read in the newspaper that I was suspended from the national team. I had not received any message from the association. I was sitting in New York and thought: "Oh, am I not included?". It was crap – and a very unprofessional way to do it.
With over 1000 NHL matches, Mats Zuccarello is considered Norway's best ice hockey player of all time.
