Mattias Norström

Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström (born 2 January 1972) is a Swedish former 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 20012007; he was the team's first non-North American-born captain. Norström played the final season of his NHL career for the Dallas Stars.

Mattias Norström
Norström in 2009
Born (1972-01-02) 2 January 1972 (age 52)
Stockholm, Sweden
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
PositionDefence
ShotLeft
Played forAIK
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
Dallas Stars
National team Sweden
NHL draft48th overall, 1992
New York Rangers
Playing career1993–2008
Medal record
Representing  Sweden
ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1998 Switzerland
Silver medal – second place1997 Finland
Silver medal – second place2003 Finland
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 1992 Germany

Playing career

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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 the New York Rangers in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft and began his NHL career in 1993 with that team.

Norström split his time in the Rangers organization between the parent club and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the 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 into 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 the 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. He helped 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 the Kings on 1 July 2006, Norström called him and offered the captaincy back. Blake refused at his presentation press conference and told the media that he regarded "Matty" as the obvious captain and the "core and soul" of the Kings.

Norström was acquired by the Dallas Stars through a trade with the Kings on 27 February 2007, which sent defencemen Jaroslav Modrý and 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, allowing the Stars to take a 3–0 series lead.

On 10 June 2008, Norström announced his retirement from hockey.[1] On 20 June 2011, Norström joined the AIK organization as a sports manager and sounding board for Anders Gozzi.[2]

Career achievements

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Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1990–91Mora IKSWE.29112610002
1991–92AIKSEL394482830222
1992–93AIKSEL2201116
1993–94Binghamton RangersAHL55191070
1993–94New York RangersNHL90116
1994–95Binghamton RangersAHL639101991
1994–95New York RangersNHL9033230000
1995–96New York RangersNHL2521322
1995–96Los Angeles KingsNHL1101118
1996–97Los Angeles KingsNHL801212284
1997–98Los Angeles KingsNHL73112139040000
1998–99Los Angeles KingsNHL7825736
1999–2000Los Angeles KingsNHL82113146640006
2000–01Los Angeles KingsNHL8201818601302216
2001–02Los Angeles KingsNHL7929113870004
2002–03Los Angeles KingsNHL8206649
2003–04Los Angeles KingsNHL741131444
2004–05AIKSWE.381014
2005–06Los Angeles KingsNHL774232758
2006–07Los Angeles KingsNHL6227940
2006–07Dallas StarsNHL14022870008
2007–08Dallas StarsNHL6621113401823516
NHL totals903181461646615625754

International

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YearTeamEvent GPGAPtsPIM
1992SwedenWJC701110
1996SwedenWC60006
1996SwedenWCH40110
1997SwedenWC1102214
1998SwedenOG40112
1998SwedenWC10000
2000SwedenWC60118
2002SwedenOG40000
2003SwedenWC91238
2004SwedenWCH40000
2005SwedenWC90772
Junior totals701110
Senior totals581141540

References

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  1. ^ "Norstrom Officially Announces His Retirement" (Press release). Dallas Stars. 2008-06-10. Archived from the original on 2008-07-07. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  2. ^ "Mattias Norström tillbaka i AIK" (in Swedish). AIK. 2011-06-20. Archived from the original on 2011-06-25. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
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Preceded by Los Angeles Kings captain
200107
Succeeded by
Note: Luc Robitaille served as the captain of the Kings for the team's last home game of the 2005–06 season.