Vegas
11-02-2005, 06:13 PM
Jeremy Roenick was on SportsCenter's Budweiser Hot Seat in September and was asked by Brian Kenny who was the most underrated player in the NHL. Roenick's answer: Mattias Norstrom. The man whose last name closely resembles a department store -- only it's the wrong department store. Norstrom is more Home Depot than Nordstrom. He's a nuts and bolts blueliner who is rock solid. He's also a music guy, which makes him perfect for us. Kings vice president of communications and broadcasting Michael Altieri says when he hears Chris Cornell's "Euphoria Morning" CD coming from the Kings' training room, he knows "Matty" is in there breaking a sweat. http://espn-att.starwave.com/media/nhl/2005/1101/photo/g_norstrom_195.jpg
Noah Graham/Getty Images
The Kings' Mattias Norstrom likes his rock music.
Mattias was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on Jan. 2, 1972, and still lives in Sweden during the offseason with his wife and two daughters. He is not sure where he will live after his NHL career is over. He is a stay-at-home defenseman at work and at home.
Question from Buccigross: Why are you underrated?
Norstrom: I don't think I'm underrated. I think I get enough attention for what I do. I'm impressed by those who create and make plays and score goals. My job as a defensive defenseman has ruined the game! [Laughs] It's a lot easier than being a creative player. I do think I get enough recognition.
Buccigross: Let's talk music. What kind of music gets you going?
Norstrom: I would say rock. I like my rock. I really like the alternative rock from the early 1990s: Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana. I love that.
[How good was 1991 for music? Rolling Stone's top five albums of the year were:
1) R.E.M. -- "Out Of Time"
2) U2 -- "Achtung Baby"
3) Nirvana -- "Nevermind"
4) Guns N' Roses -- "Use Your Illusion I"
5) Everclear -- "American Music Club"
Wow.]
Buccigross: We all have CDs that we privately enjoy, but publicly do not disclose. I have to admit I own CDs by George Michael, ABBA and Enya that I enjoy. What CD do you cover up when company comes over to the house?
Norstrom: I have to admit I have some Enya at home. And Sade can really sing.
[Mattias said he recently lost the soundtrack to the movie "Singles." It's one of his favorites and plans to buy another one soon. He also endorses System of a Down.]
Buccigross:Do you like going to Home Depot?
Norstrom: I want to know your sources! Yeah, I like building stuff. Back in Sweden, I built a nice 500-square-foot deck at our summer house. It took me a while, but I did it from the ground up. There aren't any special touches. I was happy when I put the level down.
[Mattias has Bauer skates and Easton sticks. He said he doesn't want to sign an equipment deal because if something better comes out, he wants the freedom to use it and not be stuck in a deal. Imagine that? Not selling out for money and taking function over cash.]
Buccigross: What about the new NHL rules?
Norstrom: It is a bit of a learning curve. For some many years as a defenseman, you rub out your man and stay with him. In front of the net, you could pretty much do anything. It's a skating game now. You have to be able to keep up. It's still a big adjustment. But people want to see a fast game. I want to see a fast game when I'm watching on TV. I hope the referees keep it up right through the playoffs. I think when the games get really intense, we will see more physical play. We do need to find a middle ground.
Noah Graham/Getty Images
The Kings' Mattias Norstrom likes his rock music.
Mattias was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on Jan. 2, 1972, and still lives in Sweden during the offseason with his wife and two daughters. He is not sure where he will live after his NHL career is over. He is a stay-at-home defenseman at work and at home.
Question from Buccigross: Why are you underrated?
Norstrom: I don't think I'm underrated. I think I get enough attention for what I do. I'm impressed by those who create and make plays and score goals. My job as a defensive defenseman has ruined the game! [Laughs] It's a lot easier than being a creative player. I do think I get enough recognition.
Buccigross: Let's talk music. What kind of music gets you going?
Norstrom: I would say rock. I like my rock. I really like the alternative rock from the early 1990s: Screaming Trees, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana. I love that.
[How good was 1991 for music? Rolling Stone's top five albums of the year were:
1) R.E.M. -- "Out Of Time"
2) U2 -- "Achtung Baby"
3) Nirvana -- "Nevermind"
4) Guns N' Roses -- "Use Your Illusion I"
5) Everclear -- "American Music Club"
Wow.]
Buccigross: We all have CDs that we privately enjoy, but publicly do not disclose. I have to admit I own CDs by George Michael, ABBA and Enya that I enjoy. What CD do you cover up when company comes over to the house?
Norstrom: I have to admit I have some Enya at home. And Sade can really sing.
[Mattias said he recently lost the soundtrack to the movie "Singles." It's one of his favorites and plans to buy another one soon. He also endorses System of a Down.]
Buccigross:Do you like going to Home Depot?
Norstrom: I want to know your sources! Yeah, I like building stuff. Back in Sweden, I built a nice 500-square-foot deck at our summer house. It took me a while, but I did it from the ground up. There aren't any special touches. I was happy when I put the level down.
[Mattias has Bauer skates and Easton sticks. He said he doesn't want to sign an equipment deal because if something better comes out, he wants the freedom to use it and not be stuck in a deal. Imagine that? Not selling out for money and taking function over cash.]
Buccigross: What about the new NHL rules?
Norstrom: It is a bit of a learning curve. For some many years as a defenseman, you rub out your man and stay with him. In front of the net, you could pretty much do anything. It's a skating game now. You have to be able to keep up. It's still a big adjustment. But people want to see a fast game. I want to see a fast game when I'm watching on TV. I hope the referees keep it up right through the playoffs. I think when the games get really intense, we will see more physical play. We do need to find a middle ground.