Mattias Norström

Mattias Norström
Born	January 2, 1972 (1972-01-02) Stockholm, Sweden
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	New York Rangers (1993–1996) Los Angeles Kings (1996–2007) Dallas Stars (2007–2008)
National team	Sweden
NHL Draft	48th overall, 1992 New York Rangers
Playing career	1993–2008

Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström (born January 2, 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. 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 March 14, 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 October 1, 2001, he was appointed team captain after Rob Blake had been traded to Colorado Avalanche.

Mattias Norström warms up on January 2, 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 July 1, 2006, for the 2006–2007 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 February 27, 2007, which sent defenceman Jaroslav Modry, 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 April 30, 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 June 10, 2008, Norström announced his retirement from hockey.

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

Career achievements

• 1992 IIHF - Silver medal World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
• 1997 IIHF - Silver medal Ice Hockey World Championship
• 1998 Winter Olympics
• 1998 IIHF - Gold medal World Championships
• 2002 Winter Olympics
• 2003 IIHF - Silver medal Ice Hockey World Championship

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

• 1992 IIHF - World Junior Ice Hockey Championships silver medal
• 1996 IIHF - Ice Hockey World Championship
• 1996 NHL - World Cup of Hockey 3rd place
• 1997 IIHF - Ice Hockey World Championship silver medal
• 1998 Winter Olympics
• 1998 IIHF - World Championships gold medal
• 2000 IIHF - World Championships
• 2002 Winter Olympics
• 2003 IIHF - Ice Hockey World Championship silver medal
• 2004 NHL - World Cup of Hockey

External links

• Mattias Norström's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

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.