SUNRISE, USA – Three months after suffering a career-threatening and potentially fatal head injury, Mats Zuccarello had one thing on his mind: Helping others.

While still undergoing physical and speech therapy after taking a slap shot to the head during a playoff game in late April, the New York Rangers winger spent a portion of his offseason committed to charitable endeavours.

This summer, he travelled with a contingent to Tanzania as part of Right to Play, teaching children to play sports. The Norwegian also became an ambassador for the Youth Olympic Games to be held this February in Lillehammer, Norway.

After spending three days in hospital and working to regain feeling in his left arm the ability to speak, many could have understood if Zuccarello politely declined involvement in lieu of his well-being.

"I knew [I was going], I knew," he said without hesitation when asked if there were second thoughts to involvement in off-ice endeavours.

Zuccarello's dedication to charitable work surprises no one in the Rangers dressing room.

"That's a staple of Zucc – he's always thinking about others," Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh said. "You never know what to think when someone is going through the recovery process like that, and you would think they would be totally focused on trying to get themselves back. But here he is, going out there doing work for kids on a different continent."

Founded by four-time Olympic speed skating gold medallist Johann Olav Koss, Right to Play is a non-governmental organization dedicated to teaching children peace through sport. The group reaches more than a million children a year in countries hard-hit by conflict and poverty.

Zuccarello received a request to become involved with the organization about "three, four years ago" and says the decision to do so is something he is "really proud of".

"It's the charity that does the most teaching kids, focusing on education," he said. "Not everyone just has the opportunity to just be able to play sports, just true playing. You have to start early with teachers and kids, get those countries on the right path again. It's something I believe in."

Zuccarello's trip to Tanzania left many impressions. He saw first-hand the daily struggles children face, and how involvement in sport provides them with a positive outlet, even if temporarily.

"There's a lot of bad stuff happening down there," Zuccarello said. "There's sexual harassment, rape, diseases. It's important to teach them [sports] when they are young, teach them that we are all equal, especially girls."

Inspired by many who "want to do right", Zuccarello is already thinking about volunteering for another trip.

"I'll see if I can get another one in a couple years," he said. "It makes you want do more, help out."

When the chance to serve as an ambassador for the 2016 Youth Olympic Games presented itself, the two-time Olympian jumped at that opportunity as well.

Zuccarello remembers attending games of Norway and the Czech Republic at the 1994 Lillehammer games, and the impact it had on him as a child.

"It was something you will remember for the rest of your life," he said.

The Youth Olympic Games provide a venue for 15- to 18-year-old athletes to compete, but focuses more on educating teens about other cultures and the Olympic movement's goals of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

To achieve this, the International Olympic Committee invites players who may not have the opportunity to compete at the highest level because their nations are under-represented in a given sport.

The ice hockey event, for instance, incorporates a skills competition, which will feature top athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, the Netherlands and Austria, among others.

Zuccarello can relate. A long-time participant for Norway at the international level, he has experienced the challenge of helping his country qualify for Olympic tournaments and rise to the top division of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

Serving as an ambassador, though, gives the winger another chance to offer a positive impact on children who seek to better themselves through sport.

"I wanted to help out the youth, kids who are going there," Zuccarello said. "I hope they have a great time. It's important for Norway that we have this role and everyone enjoys themselves."

Back in the United States, Zuccarello seems to be relishing his season as well.

Aside from just being able to return to the sport he loves, the winger is on pace for a career season. With 11 goals and 11 assists, he ranks among the top-20 goal scorers in the NHL. He has six multiple-point games through 20 contests.

And the Rangers, ranked third in the Eastern Conference, have performed exceptionally well, posting an 18-8-3 record which includes a nine-game winning streak during October and November. During that stretch, Zuccarello contributed five goals and seven assists.

"A lot of people are talking about having a good season, but it's only 29 games," Zuccarello said. "I wouldn't have been able to score without my teammates and linemates, [Rick] Nash and [Derick] Brassard. I think we've all had good games as a team. There are a lot of games coming, a lot of games ahead."

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault says Zuccarello's comeback has been positive for the squad.

"He's been a real inspiration as far as coming to the rink, working hard, going on the ice and competing and doing a lot of good things for us," Vigneault said. "He is a happy-go-lucky guy and is just always positive and upbeat."

That attitude is clear as Zuccarello reflects on the personal challenges his injury presented, of his offseason efforts and looking ahead.

"I was lucky that it did not become a worse injury," Zuccarello said. "I don't think about it that much. All I think about is trying to enjoy every day and have fun. Don't take everything too seriously."

ERIN BROWN