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[KingThomas]

Didn't see this posted.



Tons of praise for our ex-captain.

Go Matty!

“He’s just been rock solid back there for us,” Stars coach Dave Tippett said. “Playing with young Niskanen, that pair has been pretty good for us, but Norstrom, that’s what he is, an unbelievable character player and the playoffs, that’s when guys like that, they give a little extra. He was very good the first series, we expect him to be good in the second series.”

“I think he’s been a great mentor for all the young guys this year,” noted 23-year-old rookie Nicklas Grossman, a fellow Swede. “Just his presence around the locker room and off the ice, it’s easy for a young guy to look up to a guy like that. He’s a real good guy to look up to and he’s been playing real well in the playoffs.”

“Nordie’s been great, especially for me,” Niskanen said. “He’s a really sound defender and he’s a true leader, too - so vocal and a really smart player. He’s really easy to play with, and I think we read off each other pretty well and he’s been a great guy to learn from.”

“Mattias has been very instrumental in my growth since I’ve been here,” added 21-year-old rookie Mark Fistric, who entered the lineup in Game 3 after Boucher was injured. “He’s taught me a lot. I look up to him. He’s kind of almost took me under his wing - he’s been awesome to me, just giving little pointers to me. A guy like that is just so experienced and such a veteran guy and has been in the league for so many years, you can learn a lot from him. Every time I come to the rink, I try to pick his brain, not only for the stuff he does on the ice, but for the things he does off the ice as well.”

“He’s just a wily veteran that plays good, solid hockey come playoff time,” goaltender Marty Turco summed up. “He just epitomizes what this team is all about, the hard work, going about your business regardless of what other people think or do, and he knows what he can do is so important for this team. He’s been a great cog in our wheel for us.”