Mattias Norström

Mattias Norström
Born (1972-01-02) 2 January 1972
Stockholm, Sweden
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for AIK
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
Dallas Stars
National team  Sweden
NHL Draft 48th overall, 1992
New York Rangers
Playing career 1993–2008

Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström (born 2 January 1972) is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman, currently working for the AIK organization. Norström began his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. However, he is most noted for his ten seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Kings for whom he served as team captain from 2001–2007; he was the team's first non-North American-born captain. Norström played the final season of his NHL career for the Dallas Stars.

Playing career

As a youngster, he played for several years in the "talent factory" Huddinge IK although this original club was Mälarhöjden/Bredäng Hockey. In his teens he moved from Huddinge to AIK (Stockholm), where he started playing in the senior team from 1991. He was drafted in the second round, 48th overall, by New York Rangers in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft and began his NHL career 1993.

Norström spent his time in New York split between the New York Rangers and its AHL affiliate Binghamton Rangers. On 14 March 1996, he was traded with Nathan LaFayette, Ian Laperrière, Ray Ferraro and a draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings for Marty McSorley, Jari Kurri and Shane Churla.

In Los Angeles he developed to a solid stay-at-home defender and anchor of the Kings' blueline. On 1 October 2001, he was appointed team captain after Rob Blake had been traded to Colorado Avalanche.

Mattias Norström warms up on 2 January 2006, at the Staples Center.

During the NHL lockout in 2004–05, Norström played with his previous Swedish team, AIK. The team was playing in the third tier league, struggling to advance, when Norström arrived, helping lead them through the playoffs and to secure a spot in the second tier league the following year.

Norström was originally appointed to the Swedish national team for the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin but had to withdraw due to injury.

When Rob Blake returned to Kings on 1 July 2006, for the 2006–07 season, Norström called him and offered the captaincy back to Blake. Blake refused at his presentation press conference and told the media that he regarded 'Matty' as obvious captain and the 'core and soul' of the Kings.

He was acquired by the Dallas Stars through a trade with the Los Angeles Kings on 27 February 2007, which sent defenceman Jaroslav Modrý, defenceman Johan Fransson, a 2008 first round draft pick, a 2007 second round draft pick, and a 2007 third round draft pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Norström, forward Konstantin Pushkarev, a 2007 third round pick, and a 2007 fourth round pick.

On 30 April 2008, he scored the game-winning goal (and first NHL playoff goal of his career) in the first overtime against the San Jose Sharks and take a clutch 3–0 series lead.

On 10 June 2008, Norström announced his retirement from hockey.[1]

On 20 June 2011, Norström joined the AIK organization's court, as a sports manager and sounding board for Anders Gozzi.[2]

Career achievements

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1991–92 AIK SEL 39 4 4 8 28
1992–93 AIK SEL 22 0 1 1 16
1993–94 Binghamton Rangers AHL 55 1 9 10 70
1993–94 New York Rangers NHL 9 0 1 1 6
1994–95 Binghamton Rangers AHL 63 9 10 19 91
1994–95 New York Rangers NHL 9 0 3 3 2 3 0 0 0 0
1995–96 New York Rangers NHL 25 2 1 3 22
1995–96 Los Angeles Kings NHL 11 0 1 1 18
1996–97 Los Angeles Kings NHL 80 1 21 22 84
1997–98 Los Angeles Kings NHL 73 1 12 13 90 4 0 0 0 0
1998–99 Los Angeles Kings NHL 78 2 5 7 36
1999–00 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 1 13 14 66 4 0 0 0 6
2000–01 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 0 18 18 60 13 0 2 2 16
2001–02 Los Angeles Kings NHL 79 2 9 11 38 7 0 0 0 4
2002–03 Los Angeles Kings NHL 82 0 6 6 49
2003–04 Los Angeles Kings NHL 74 1 13 14 44
2004–05 AIK SEL-3 8 1 0 1 4
2005–06 Los Angeles Kings NHL 77 4 23 27 58
2006–07 Los Angeles Kings NHL 62 2 7 9 40
2006–07 Dallas Stars NHL 14 0 2 2 8 7 0 0 0 8
2007–08 Dallas Stars NHL 66 2 11 13 40 18 2 3 5 16
NHL totals 903 18 146 164 661 56 2 5 7 54

International play

References

  1. ↑ "Norstrom Officially Announces His Retirement" (Press release). Dallas Stars. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  2. ↑ "Mattias Norström tillbaka i AIK" (in Swedish). AIK. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
Preceded by
Rob Blake		 Los Angeles Kings captain
2001–07 		Succeeded by
Rob Blake
Note: Luc Robitaille served as the captain of the Kings for the team's last home game of the 2005–06 season.
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