MIAMI. Let us present – Mika Miamijad!
The Swedish star broke the NHL outdoor record with a hat trick and two assists as the New York Rangers swept Florida 5-1 in last night’s Winter Classic in Miami.
– It will take a while before I forget this evening, he says with a broad smile to Sportbladet.
Well, we know – the New York Rangers’ Swedish first center is called Mika Zibanejad, nothing else.
But after tonight’s open-air show at Loandepot Park in downtown Miami, he has to endure some new nicknames.
Like Mika Miamijad – or maybe Miami Mika.
For the 32-year-old from Stockholm, the 2026 Winter Classic turned into its own glorious show. He was involved in all of Rangers’ five goals against the reigning champions; scored three of them himself and played until the other two.
“Will remember for a long time”
In doing so, he broke a double record. No one has previously completed a hat trick in the Winter Classic – and no one has scored five points in any of the NHL’s outdoor games.
– Yes, what a night, Mika exclaims when we meet him in the Rangers dressing room after the 5-1 triumph.
– Incredibly nice, of course. I will remember this for a long time.
You said the day before that you hoped to make memories for a lifetime, and it must be said that you did?
– Yes, the whole team did, with this win and the goalkeeping we get from Igor (Sjestiorkin), the way we play. It was really nice.
Tanged the club record
One of Mika’s three goals was added in a numerical superiority and it meant that he simultaneously touched Rangers’ club record for power play goals with a total of 116 – and as if that were not enough, he was named in Tre Kronor’s Olympic squad the morning before the outdoor match.
– Yes, it’s been a pretty good 24 hours. A good day, he continues as a steady stream of teammates sneak past and pat him on the back.
Even coach Mike Sullivan would love to hug his Winter Classic hero – sounds like it anyway.
– It is not really possible to describe how much Mika means to us and how much he constantly does for our team and I am very happy for him that he got to experience this success in this environment tonight, says “Sully”.
The five-point man himself steps off to celebrate with his family in the mild January evening and he has undeniably earned it, Mister Miamijad.
