Senators first-round pick Mika Zibanejad to stay in North America

Ottawa, Canada (4E Sports) – The Ottawa Senators 2011 first-round draft pick Mika Zibanejad has decided to stay in North America, where he’s expected to play either with the NHL team or its American Hockey Club affiliate for the 2012-2013 season.

Taken 6th overall in 2011, the 6-foo-2, 192-pound Zibanejad signed a three-year entry contract last season with the Senators and did pretty well during training camp.

However, the 18-year-old teen struggled to cope up with NHL’s rough style of play, scoring just one goal in nine games.

The Senators eventually sent Zibanejad back home to his Swedish team Djurgardens for more seasoning and it apparently paid off with the Swede having a solid stint at the 2012 World Junior Championship. Zibanejad slotted the winning goal in the overtime period to give his team the gold in the tourney.

Meanwhile, Senators GM Tim Murray did not spare any time making sure his Swede prospect remains close with the team.

“He’s staying no matter what,” Murray told NHL.com Friday “Whether its Ottawa or Binghamton, we’re not sending him back. So he’s here.”

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