Norlinder: Standing out in Sweden

MONTREAL - For the second time in three years, a Habs prospect has won the "Golden Cage" trophy, awarded to the best under-20 player in the Allsvenskan.

Defenseman Mattias Norlinder received the award on Wednesday.
The Canadiens' third-round pick (64th overall) in 2019 recorded six goals, nine assists, and 15 points in 32 games with MODO in the Swedish second division.

On top of his work marking up the scoresheet, Norlinder was a defensive stalwart, finishing the season with a plus-10 differential.
He was second on his team among defensemen in goals and third in points.
The Kramfors, Sweden native also represented his country at the most recent World Junior Championship. The 19-year-old rearguard was held pointless in seven games, but still helped his team to a bronze-medal finish.
The other Canadiens player to win the award in the past three years is center Jacob Olofsson, who took it in 2018.

Olofsson had 10 goals and 21 points in 43 games with Timra in 2017-18.
The 20-year-old center was Montreal's second-round pick (56th overall) in 2018.
Photo credit: Håkan Nordström, Nordstrombild.se