Rangers' Mika Zibanejad releases statement following backlash over sale of Swedish hockey team

The purchase of a hockey team in Mike Zibanejad's home country of Sweden has led to a lot of 'upset and very unpleasant' messages for the NHL star, and he's looking to set the record straight.

Zibanejad is part owner of Brödernas, a popular burger chain in Sweden. On Wednesday, it was announced the company had purchased Väsby IK, a hockey team playing in Hockeyettan, the third highest professional hockey league in the country. As part of the purchase, Brödernas announced the team would be getting a new logo - a combination of their old one and the one belonging to the burger chain - as well as new jerseys. This didn't sit well with a lot of fans and analysts who felt the 68-year-old team's history was essentially being erased in a marketing scheme. Zibanejad, in his statement, said he had received so many messages that he felt he had to respond.

"I have seen and understood that there have been many upset people as a result of the merger between Brödernas Hockey and Väsby. I have also received quite a few messages sent to me from people who were upset and very unpleasant in connection with this. I want to make it very clear that I have nothing to do with Brödernas Hockey's decision-making, and saw this news at the same time as you," said Zibanejad.

"There is only one Swedish club in my heart, and you know which one," continued Zibanejad, referring to Djurgarden, the team he played junior hockey for, as well as one season in the SEL, the precursor to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

The brothers who are the main owners of Brödernas, confirmed that Zibanejad was not part of this decision, noting they had a long talk with the NHL star and everything has been settled.

Brödernas has bigger plans than Hockeyettan. In its news release, the company said it fully intends to purchase a SHL team by 2030. The SHL is the top hockey league in Sweden.

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