New York Rangers Blueshirt Beat 8/5/17: Zuccarello Scores in Soccer, Updates from WJSS
OTTAWA, ON - MAY 6: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers skates against the Ottawa Senators in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on May 6, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

The New York Rangers are back in action…except this time, it’s not all on the ice.

It looks like the New York Rangers can tear up any surface they take on.

Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello scored a goal and collected two assists, albeit in a charity soccer game in Norway. Zucc looks like a really good soccer player, but thankfully for the Rangers he chose hockey instead.

Team USA hockey announced that former Rangers forward Tony Granato will coach the Olympics Men’s Ice Hockey Team in Pyeonchang, South Korea in 2018. The former Ranger currently coaches at Wisconsin, and has previously coached the Colorado Avalanche. ESNY’s own Frank Curto covered the announcement in detail.

Shifting focus to international hockey, Rangers first-round pick Lias Anderson has continued to dominate at the World Junior Summer Showcase. The young forward scored a goal in Sweden’s 7-4 loss to Canada, giving him three goals and an assist in four games.

Anderson’s impressive performance is a great sign, as there are hopes he will be able to contribute to the Rangers this season. He’ll be competing for a job as a center in training camp for the Rangers, and his performance in this tournament should boost his confidence going into camp.

Rangers prospects Sean Day and Tim Gettinger played for the USA against Finland as well, although both were held off the score sheet. The USA won that game 4-3.

Superstar goalie Henrik Lundqvist did a Q&A with Monkey Sports on Instagram. He posted the answers to his blog. He spoke on the challenges he faced, what motivates him to keep playing and how his family, specifically twin brother Joel, have affected his career.

And what would the Blueshirt Beat be without a little trade talk, right?

Sean Hartnett wrote a piece for CBS New York detailing what the team needs from Kevin Hayes if they trade for a center before camp opens…and that is a big if.

So that’s all for the Blueshirt Beat today! remember to stay tuned to ESNY for all the latest Rangers news.

I'm a student at Binghamton University. I'm a huge fan of the Mets, Rangers, Giants, and Jets, and will be covering them for the site, as well as fantasy hockey, football, and baseball. My twitter is @wmcine