Mattias Norström

Mattias Norström
Norström in 2009
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
Medal record Representing Sweden ice hockey World Championships 1998 Switzerland 1997 Finland 2003 Finland World Junior Championships 1992 Germany

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 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

AIK

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.

NHL

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. On 20 June 2011, Norström joined the AIK organization 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
• 1999 NHL All-Star 1999 National Hockey League All-Star Game
• 2002 Winter Olympics
• 2003 IIHF – Silver medal Ice Hockey World Championship
• 2004 NHL All-Star 2004 National Hockey League All-Star Game

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1990–91	Mora IK	SWE.2		9	1	1	2	6		1	0	0	0	2
1991–92	AIK	SEL		39	4	4	8	28		3	0	2	2	2
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		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	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	SWE.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

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992	Sweden	WJC		7	0	1	1	10
1996	Sweden	WC		6	0	0	0	6
1996	Sweden	WCH		4	0	1	1	0
1997	Sweden	WC		11	0	2	2	14
1998	Sweden	OG		4	0	1	1	2
1998	Sweden	WC		1	0	0	0	0
2000	Sweden	WC		6	0	1	1	8
2002	Sweden	OG		4	0	0	0	0
2003	Sweden	WC		9	1	2	3	8
2004	Sweden	WCH		4	0	0	0	0
2005	Sweden	WC		9	0	7	7	2
Junior totals				7	0	1	1	10
Senior totals				58	1	14	15	40

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Note: Luc Robitaille served as the captain of the Kings for the team's last home game of the 2005–06 season.