6-10-08 -- Dallas Stars defenceman Mattias Norstrom is retiring, Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet reported Tuesday.

“Dallas wanted to keep me, but it is over now,” the 36-year old Swede was quoted as saying on the newspaper’s website. “I promised myself 10 years ago that I would quit while I still had a strong position in the team. And now it is over.”

Dallas lost 4-2 to the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference final.

“The last game against Detroit was my final one,” Norstrom said, adding he now intends to focus on his family and get an ordinary job.

“I studied building techniques in high school, so carpentry is a possible alternative, but let’s see. I will think about it during the summer,” he said.

Norstrom had 13 points (2-11) in 66 regular-season games last season. He added five points (2-3) in 18 playoff games.

Norstrom started his professional career with Swedish clubs Mora and AIK Stockholm. He later played for the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings before joining the Stars last year.

He has also played for Sweden in several world championships as well as in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He had to withdraw from the 2006 Olympics in Turin because of injury.