Mika Zibanejad is the 2025-26 recipient of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, presented annually to the New York Rangers player who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
The award is named after Steven McDonald, a New York City Police Detective, who was also a lifelong Rangers fan. McDonald was shot and injured in the line of duty July 12, 1986, was courageous and forgiving in his recovery, and always made an appearance at Madison Square Garden to announce the winner of the award bearing his name after the Rangers established it before the 1987-88 season.
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McDonald died on January 10, 2017, from his injuries at the age of 59.
His widow, Patti Ann McDonald, and son, NYPD Captain Conor McDonald, presented the award to Zibanejad prior to the Rangers game Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. It’s the third time that the veteran Rangers center won the award, which is voted on by the fans. Zibanejad also received the most votes in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
The winner is presented a $25,000 check (in the player’s name) from Northwell Health made out to the Steven McDonald Foundation.
Mika Zibanejad wins prestigious Rangers award for third time
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 32 goals, 69 points, and 15 power-play goals this season. He’s also been lauded by coach Mike Sullivan for his leadership and consistent play during this difficult season for the Rangers, their second straight missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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This past week, Zibanejad passed Adam Graves for fourth place on the Rangers all-time goal-scoring list, and currently has 282 wearing the Blueshirt. The 32-year-old also became the franchise’s all-time leader in power-play goals this season with 123, and surpassed a pair of NHL milestones with 800 points and 1,000 games.
Zibanejad is the fourth player on the Rangers current roster to win the prestigious award. Will Cuylle won it last season. Vincent Trocheck (2023-24), and Adam Fox (2020-21) previously won the award.
Jan Erixon was the first recipient of the award in 1988. Adam Graves won it a franchise-high five times. Ryan Callahan (four times), Mats Zuccarello (three), Zibanejad (three), Mark Messier (two), Jed Ortmeyer (two), Henrik Lundqvist (two), Sandy McCarthy (two), and Erixon (two) each won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award more than once.
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