Mika Zibanejad has been named the winner o the 2019 Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.

The award is presented annually to the Ranger who, as chosen by the fans, “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”

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From the Rangers release:

• The award, which has been given annually since the 1987-88 season, bears the name of devoted Blueshirt fan and New York City Police Detective Steven McDonald, who was shot and injured in the line of duty on July 12, 1986 and passed away on January 10, 2017.
• Zibanejad has skated in 79 games with the Rangers this season, registering 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points, along with 47 penalty minutes.
• He is the only Ranger who has skated in every game this season.
• He has established career-highs in numerous categories in 2018-19, including goals, assists, points, total ice time, shots on goal, faceoff wins, and takeaways, and he is also averaging a career-high in time on ice per game.
• Zibanejad tallied a point on 10 consecutive goals scored by the Rangers from Jan. 19 to Feb. 4, becoming the first player in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
• He recorded the game-winning goal in three consecutive games from Jan. 15 to Jan. 19, becoming the second Ranger in franchise history to do so (along with Rod Gilbert, who did so during the 1966-67 season).
• Zibanejad became the first Rangers center to record at least 30 goals in a season since Eric Lindros (37 in 2001-02).
• He is one of three centers in Rangers history who have recorded at least 30 goals in a season when 25 years old or younger (along with Mark Pavelich and Darren Turcotte), and he is also one of three centers in franchise history who have registered 70 or more points in a season when 25 years old or younger (along with Walt Tkaczuk and Mark Pavelich).

Adam Rotter: Zibanejad was the right choice for this season. Had Mats Zuccarello remained a Ranger he likely would have won again but Zibanejad has been the Rangers best and most consistent player all season. He accepted the role and responsibility of being the Rangers number one center and has excelled this season. He’s an enormous part of the Rangers rebuild and is signed for the next three seasons at a very favorable cap hit. He’s as big a part of the rebuild as anyone and is definitely in consideration to get the “C” on his jersey next season.