FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chicago, October 24th 2006
Chicago Blackhawks general manager Mathias Vaigur announced today that the team has agreed terms with defender Mattias Norström. Norström and Chicago has agreed on a 4 year deal, with the financial terms not disclosed. Keeping in terms with team policy. The 35 year old Noström joins the team via free agency. Last season Norström played in Canada with the Montréal Canadiéns, scoring 17 points in 79 games. Norström also had 121 hits and a -5 rating.
"Mattias is a solid defensive first type of defender. He is one of the best shutdown defenders in the league, and he adds a element of physial play to our defense. Now we have Chris Chelios, Karlis Skrastins and Norström who are all good leaders and good players on our defense. Along with young players like Bryan Allen, Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Jim Vandermeer, Tom Preissing and Anton Babchuk, our defense looks solid." - GM Mathias Vaigur said.
Mattias Norström not known for his offensive play, had 26 points playing for the Red Wings in the 2004-2005 season. And having played the Chicago Blackhawks as a Detroit Red Wing, he likes what he sees from the Hawks.
"This is a team with a lot of talent, players like Joe Sakic, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexei Yashin, Marek Svatos, Brent Seabrook, Chris Chelios and so on. I also like the city, its a great city with fantastic fans. The games against Chicago when I played in Detroit, were the highlight of the year. Intense games with pressure from the stands, its like playoff hockey. I am looking forward to play the Red Wings as a Hawk. And I also hope that we can get this team into the playoffs." - Norström said.