Mattias Norström

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Image:NorstromIginlaLangkow.jpg
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
Nickname	Matty,Notan
Height Weight	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 222 lb (101 kg)
NHL Team	Los Angeles Kings
Nationality	Image:Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Born	January 2, 1972, Stockholm, SWE
NHL Draft	48th overall, 1992 New York Rangers
Pro Career	1993 – present

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Mattias Norström (born January 2 , 1972) is a Swedish defenceman for Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden and is listed at 6'2", 222 lb. Often called 'Matty' in North America and 'Notan' in Sweden.

1 Playing Career
2 Career achievements
3 Career statistics
4 International play
5 References

[edit] Playing Career

He played for AIK Solna from 1991, was drafted in the second round, 48th overall by New York Rangers in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft and began his NHL career 1993.

Norstrom spent his time in New York split between the New York Rangers and its AHL affiliate Binghamton Rangers. At March 14 1996 he was traded with Nathan Lafayette, Ian Laperriere, 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 King's blueline. On October 1 2001 he was appointed team captain after Rob Blake had been traded to Colorado Avalanche.

Image:Mattiasnorstrom.jpg

He received much admiration in Sweden when he during the NHL Lockout in 2004-05 rejected play with any other team then his original AIK Solna, no matter what salaries others where offering. The team was at this point playing the third tier league struggling to advance and Mattias arrived just in time to help them through the playoffs to secure a spot in the second tier league the following year. It should be noted that not only did he play for free, he payed his own insurance during his time in AIK.

He 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 Norstrom called him and offered the captaincy back to Blake. Blake refused and at his presentation press conferance told media that he regarded 'Matty' as obvious captain and 'core and soul' of the Kings.

[edit] 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

[edit] Career statistics

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1991-92	AIK Solna	SEL	39	4	4	8	28
1992-93	AIK Solna	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 Solna	Allsv						8	1	0	1	4
2005-06	Los Angeles Kings	NHL	77	4	23	27	58
NHL Totals			761	14	126	140	573	31	0	2	2	30