Scott Niedermayer
Encyclopedia
Scott Niedermayer is a retired Canadian ice hockey
defenceman
who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League
for two teams: the New Jersey Devils
and the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks
. Niedermayer was known for his skating stride, and ability for leading or joining the offensive rush. Though he was born in Edmonton
, Alberta
, Niedermayer grew up in Cranbrook
, British Columbia
. The older brother of HC Lugano forward Rob Niedermayer
and cousin of Edmonton Oilers
defenceman Jason Strudwick
, Niedermayer is the only player to win every major North American and international championship in his career; he has won the Memorial Cup
, World Junior Championship
gold, IIHF World Championship gold, two Olympic gold medals, four Stanley Cups and the World Cup
.
by the New Jersey Devils
with the third overall selection from the Kamloops Blazers
of the Western Hockey League
(WHL). He was considered one of the most promising and offensively talented defenceman ever drafted out of the Canadian Hockey League
(CHL). The Devils drafted Niedermayer using the first round draft pick they had previously acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs
in exchange for Tom Kurvers
on October 16, 1989.
. He improved to 46 points in his second NHL season in 1993–94 and embarked on a lengthy playoff run with the Devils to the Eastern Conference finals, where they were defeated by eventual Stanley Cup
champions, the New York Rangers
in seven games. Niedermayer and the Devils followed their near berth in the Stanley Cup Finals
with another playoff run the following season in 1995
. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
in the Finals, the Devils swept the series to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history and Niedermayer's first of his career.
Niedermayer then recorded 33-points and 35-points the next two seasons before emerging with 14 goals and 57 points in 1997–98, his most productive season with the Devils. In 2000
, Niedermayer and the Devils won their second Stanley Cup, defeating the Dallas Stars
. During the playoffs, Niedermayer tied a record held by both Larry Murphy and Paul Coffey
for most shorthanded goals scored by a defenceman in the playoffs with two.
The Devils reached the Finals for the second consecutive year in 2001
, but were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche
in seven games. After a 39-point effort in 2002–03, Niedermayer helped lead the Devils to their third Stanley Cup championship in eight years, though his brother, Rob
, was on the losing end, with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
. His 18 post-season points marked the highest playoff total of his career and tied teammate Jamie Langenbrunner
for the league lead.
In 2003–04, Niedermayer had his second 50-point season with 14 goals and 40 assists. With fellow defencemen Scott Stevens
and Brian Rafalski
out of the lineup for extended periods for the Devils during the season, he became all the more valuable for the club. He was also given the captaincy in Stevens' absence, beginning on January 9, 2004. That season, Niedermayer won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenceman, ending Nicklas Lidstrom
's three-year hold on the award.
to a four-year, $27 million contract on August 4, 2005. It was reported that New Jersey had offered him a contract that would have made him the highest paid player on the team with a league-maximum salary of $7.8 million, but his desire to play alongside his brother Rob
, who had played against the Devils in the 2003 Finals with Anaheim, outweighed the financial advantages. Before the start of the 2005–06 season, he was named the team's captain, succeeding Steve Rucchin
, who had departed for the New York Rangers. In his first season with the Ducks, Niedermayer recorded a then-career-high of 63 points and helped carry the Mighty Ducks to the Western Conference
Finals where they were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers
.
The following season, in 2006–07, Niedermayer was joined on the Ducks' blueline by another Norris Trophy-winner, Chris Pronger
, who was an integral part of the Ducks' playoff defeat to the Oilers. The tandem of Pronger and Niedermayer helped the newly named Anaheim Ducks set franchise records in almost all categories, with Niedermayer also improving on his previous career-high in points with 15 goals and 69 points. He then helped Anaheim win their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Ottawa Senators
4–1 in the finals. Niedermayer's leadership and prowess on the ice, scoring 11 points in 21 games, garnered him the Conn Smythe Trophy
as the playoff MVP. Playing with brother Rob (an alternate captain to Scott, along with Pronger), the two became the first brothers to win the Stanley Cup together since Duane
and Brent Sutter
won the Stanley Cup in 1982
and 1983
with the New York Islanders
. In a break with tradition, Scott let Rob take a lap around the Honda Center ice with the Cup after he took his lap. Normally, the alternate captain who has waited longest to win the Cup (in the 2006-07 Ducks case, Pronger and Teemu Selanne
) gets to skate it around the ice after the captain takes his lap.
Though he had just won his fourth Stanley Cup and had recorded personal statistical bests, Niedermayer announced on June 19, 2007, that he was contemplating retirement. With training camp approaching, on September 6, 2007, he held a press conference where he stated he was still undecided on his playing status. As training camp then began on September 11, he was subsequently suspended by the Ducks. This was, however, for salary-cap reasons and not as a punitive measure. In April 2008, it was reported that the Ducks had fined him $500,000 for missing the training camp. As a result of his seeming retirement, he was replaced by Chris Pronger as team captain on September 28.
Niedermayer remained undecided until 28 games into the Ducks' 2007–08 season
, when he announced on December 5, 2007, that he would, in fact, return and play for the remainder of the campaign. Later in the season, teammate Teemu Selanne
, who had also held out during the season as he contemplated retirement, similarly announced his return to the team. By coincidence or not, the late arrival of both Niedermayer and Selanne was a curious way for the Ducks to keep both players without going over the salary cap during the 2007-08 season. Playing in a limited 48 games, Niedermayer recorded 25 points. Going into the 2008 playoffs
as defending champions, the Ducks were defeated by the Dallas Stars
in the opening round. Niedermayer again briefly contemplated retirement, before announcing on June 26, 2008, intentions to fulfill at least one more year of the two remaining on his contract. Before the start of the 2008–09 season
, it was announced on October 7, that Niedermayer would regain team captaincy (Pronger remained captain following Niedermayer's comeback the previous season).
Niedermayer is the only Canadian player in the history of hockey to have won what many consider to be the "six major championships for Canadian players", those championships being the Stanley Cup
, Memorial Cup
, World Junior Ice Hockey Championship gold, IIHF World Championship
gold, Olympic gold, and a World Cup
title.
On June 22, 2010, The Orange County Register reported that Niedermayer informed Ducks GM Bob Murray of his intentions to retire. On the same day, Niedermayer officially announced his retirement from the NHL during a special press conference held at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
in Vancouver
. On February 28, 2010, he led Canada to gold medal in a 3-2 victory over Team USA.
Niedermayer has played for Canada in the following competitions:
Niedermayer is also relatively active politically and socially. A driver of a zero emission Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell electric car, Niedermayer has expressed his belief in global warming and is a supporter of the green-environment movement. He is currently serving as a Freshwater Ambassador for the conservation organization, WWF-Canada
. Niedermayer is also a vocal supporter of PETA
. Niedermayer took the Stanley Cup to the top of Fisher Peak in the East Kootenays after the New Jersey Devils Cup win.
Niedermayer's first team, the New Jersey Devils
, will retire number 27 in his honor during the season.
Note: Scott Niedermayer served as the Devils captain for the latter half of the 2003–04 NHL season. Scott Stevens was injured and out of the lineup during that time.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for two teams: the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Niedermayer was known for his skating stride, and ability for leading or joining the offensive rush. Though he was born in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Niedermayer grew up in Cranbrook
Cranbrook, British Columbia
Cranbrook, British Columbia is a city in southeast British Columbia, located on the west side of the Kootenay River at its confluence with the St. Mary's River, It is the largest urban centre in the region known as the East Kootenay. As of 2006, Cranbrook's population is 18,267, and the...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The older brother of HC Lugano forward Rob Niedermayer
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
and cousin of Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
defenceman Jason Strudwick
Jason Strudwick
Jason Wayne Strudwick is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He currently represents Södertälje SK in Swedish second tier league HockeyAllsvenskan. Prior to that, he most recently played for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, and has also played for the New York...
, Niedermayer is the only player to win every major North American and international championship in his career; he has won the Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
, World Junior Championship
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
gold, IIHF World Championship gold, two Olympic gold medals, four Stanley Cups and the World Cup
World Cup of Hockey
The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991...
.
Playing career
Niedermayer was drafted in the first round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The draft was famous for the controversy surrounding star first overall draft pick, touted by some observers to be The Next One, Eric Lindros, who was drafted by the...
by the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
with the third overall selection from the Kamloops Blazers
Kamloops Blazers
The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL). He was considered one of the most promising and offensively talented defenceman ever drafted out of the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
(CHL). The Devils drafted Niedermayer using the first round draft pick they had previously acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Tom Kurvers
Tom Kurvers
Thomas James Kurvers is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman who spent 11 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1984 and 1995. He was a member of the 1986 Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Canadiens...
on October 16, 1989.
New Jersey Devils
After playing an initial four games with the Devils in the 1991–92 season, Niedermayer recorded 11 goals and 40 points in his rookie season in 1992–93, enough to be named to the NHL All-Rookie TeamNHL All-Rookie Team
The NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
. He improved to 46 points in his second NHL season in 1993–94 and embarked on a lengthy playoff run with the Devils to the Eastern Conference finals, where they were defeated by eventual Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champions, the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in seven games. Niedermayer and the Devils followed their near berth in the Stanley Cup Finals
1995 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1995 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. This was the first of nine consecutive finals with American franchises exclusively. New Jersey was making the franchise's first-ever appearance in the Final, while Detroit returned...
with another playoff run the following season in 1995
1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1995 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League was played between May 6 and June 24, 1995. In the Final, the New Jersey Devils swept the favored Detroit Red Wings in four games to win their first championship. The Quebec Nordiques played their last ever playoff series...
. Facing the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the Finals, the Devils swept the series to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history and Niedermayer's first of his career.
Niedermayer then recorded 33-points and 35-points the next two seasons before emerging with 14 goals and 57 points in 1997–98, his most productive season with the Devils. In 2000
2000 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2000 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference and defending Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars. The Devils were led by captain Scott Stevens, coach Larry Robinson and goalie Martin Brodeur...
, Niedermayer and the Devils won their second Stanley Cup, defeating the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. During the playoffs, Niedermayer tied a record held by both Larry Murphy and Paul Coffey
Paul Coffey
Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
for most shorthanded goals scored by a defenceman in the playoffs with two.
The Devils reached the Finals for the second consecutive year in 2001
2001 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2001 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Eastern Conference champion and defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche, making the franchise's second Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and first since the team won the 1996 Finals. The...
, but were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in seven games. After a 39-point effort in 2002–03, Niedermayer helped lead the Devils to their third Stanley Cup championship in eight years, though his brother, Rob
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
, was on the losing end, with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. His 18 post-season points marked the highest playoff total of his career and tied teammate Jamie Langenbrunner
Jamie Langenbrunner
James Craig Langenbrunner is an American professional ice hockey player. He's an alternate captain of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League . He was the captain of the 2010 United States Olympic Team...
for the league lead.
Scott Stevens
Ronald Scott Stevens is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman. Stevens played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, and the New Jersey Devils...
and Brian Rafalski
Brian Rafalski
Brian Christopher Rafalski is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 15 professional ice hockey seasons for five teams: 11 in the National Hockey League for two teams , three in SM-liiga for two teams prior to entering the NHL, and one in Elitserien for...
out of the lineup for extended periods for the Devils during the season, he became all the more valuable for the club. He was also given the captaincy in Stevens' absence, beginning on January 9, 2004. That season, Niedermayer won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenceman, ending Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
's three-year hold on the award.
Anaheim Ducks
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the 2005 off-season, Niedermayer ended his twelve-season tenure with the Devils, signing with the Mighty Ducks of AnaheimAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
to a four-year, $27 million contract on August 4, 2005. It was reported that New Jersey had offered him a contract that would have made him the highest paid player on the team with a league-maximum salary of $7.8 million, but his desire to play alongside his brother Rob
Rob Niedermayer
Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
, who had played against the Devils in the 2003 Finals with Anaheim, outweighed the financial advantages. Before the start of the 2005–06 season, he was named the team's captain, succeeding Steve Rucchin
Steve Rucchin
Steven Andrew Rucchin is a retired ice hockey centre who played for three teams in the National Hockey League, most notably for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.-Playing career:...
, who had departed for the New York Rangers. In his first season with the Ducks, Niedermayer recorded a then-career-high of 63 points and helped carry the Mighty Ducks to the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
Finals where they were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
.
Chris Pronger
Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...
, who was an integral part of the Ducks' playoff defeat to the Oilers. The tandem of Pronger and Niedermayer helped the newly named Anaheim Ducks set franchise records in almost all categories, with Niedermayer also improving on his previous career-high in points with 15 goals and 69 points. He then helped Anaheim win their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
4–1 in the finals. Niedermayer's leadership and prowess on the ice, scoring 11 points in 21 games, garnered him the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as the playoff MVP. Playing with brother Rob (an alternate captain to Scott, along with Pronger), the two became the first brothers to win the Stanley Cup together since Duane
Duane Sutter
Duane Calvin Sutter is a Canadian former forward player and former head coach in the National Hockey League. He is one of the famed six Sutter brothers to play in the NHL. As of August 22, 2011, he is a pro scout for the Edmonton Oilers....
and Brent Sutter
Brent Sutter
Brent Colin Sutter is a retired National Hockey League player and current head coach of the Calgary Flames. Selected by the New York Islanders 17th overall at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Sutter played over 1,000 games for the Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks during his 18-year career. He won the...
won the Stanley Cup in 1982
1982 Stanley Cup Finals
-References:...
and 1983
1983 Stanley Cup Finals
-Members of New York Islanders 1980 to 1983 Dynasty:*Mike Bossy, Bob Bourne, Clark Gillies, Butch Goring, Anders Kallur, Gord Lane, Dave Langevin, Wayne Merrick, Ken Morrow, Bob Nystrom, Stefan Persson, Denis Potvin, Billy Smith, Duane Sutter, John Tonelli, Bryan Trottier *Lorne Henning , Bill...
with the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. In a break with tradition, Scott let Rob take a lap around the Honda Center ice with the Cup after he took his lap. Normally, the alternate captain who has waited longest to win the Cup (in the 2006-07 Ducks case, Pronger and Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
) gets to skate it around the ice after the captain takes his lap.
Niedermayer remained undecided until 28 games into the Ducks' 2007–08 season
2007–08 Anaheim Ducks season
The 2007–08 Anaheim Ducks season began September 29, 2007, with a game in London, England, against the Los Angeles Kings. It was the Ducks' 15th season in the National Hockey League...
, when he announced on December 5, 2007, that he would, in fact, return and play for the remainder of the campaign. Later in the season, teammate Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
, who had also held out during the season as he contemplated retirement, similarly announced his return to the team. By coincidence or not, the late arrival of both Niedermayer and Selanne was a curious way for the Ducks to keep both players without going over the salary cap during the 2007-08 season. Playing in a limited 48 games, Niedermayer recorded 25 points. Going into the 2008 playoffs
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
as defending champions, the Ducks were defeated by the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
in the opening round. Niedermayer again briefly contemplated retirement, before announcing on June 26, 2008, intentions to fulfill at least one more year of the two remaining on his contract. Before the start of the 2008–09 season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, it was announced on October 7, that Niedermayer would regain team captaincy (Pronger remained captain following Niedermayer's comeback the previous season).
Niedermayer is the only Canadian player in the history of hockey to have won what many consider to be the "six major championships for Canadian players", those championships being the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
, Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
, World Junior Ice Hockey Championship gold, IIHF World Championship
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
gold, Olympic gold, and a World Cup
World Cup of Hockey
The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991...
title.
On June 22, 2010, The Orange County Register reported that Niedermayer informed Ducks GM Bob Murray of his intentions to retire. On the same day, Niedermayer officially announced his retirement from the NHL during a special press conference held at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
International play
On December 30, 2009, Niedermayer was named captain of Team Canada for the 2010 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. On February 28, 2010, he led Canada to gold medal in a 3-2 victory over Team USA.
Niedermayer has played for Canada in the following competitions:
- 1991 World Junior Championships1991 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 15th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in various communities in Saskatchewan, Canada...
(gold medal) - 1992 World Junior Championships1992 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 16th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held from December 26, 1991 until January 4, 1992. It was held in Füssen and Kaufbeuren, Germany...
- 1996 World Cup1996 World Cup of HockeyThe first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey ....
(runner-up) - 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
(gold medal) - 2004 World Championships2004 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna...
(gold medal) - 2004 World Cup2004 World Cup of HockeyThe 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
(championship) - 2010 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2010 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
(gold medal)
Personal life
Niedermayer married his wife Lisa in 1998, after dating for six years. They have four sons: Logan (b. May 1999), Jackson (b. March 2001), Joshua (b. Feb 2004), Luke (b. June 2008).Niedermayer is also relatively active politically and socially. A driver of a zero emission Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell electric car, Niedermayer has expressed his belief in global warming and is a supporter of the green-environment movement. He is currently serving as a Freshwater Ambassador for the conservation organization, WWF-Canada
WWF-Canada
WWF-Canada is one of Canada's largest conservation organizations and is a member of the WWF global network, actively contributing to the protection, management and restoration of the environment...
. Niedermayer is also a vocal supporter of PETA
Peta
Peta can refer to:* peta-, an SI prefix denoting a factor of 1015* Peta, Greece, a town in Greece* Peta, the Pāli word for a Preta, or hungry ghost in Buddhism* Peta Wilson, an Australian actress and model* Peta Todd, English glamour model...
. Niedermayer took the Stanley Cup to the top of Fisher Peak in the East Kootenays after the New Jersey Devils Cup win.
Niedermayer's first team, the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, will retire number 27 in his honor during the season.
Awards and achievements
- 1990–91 — WHLWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
— West First All-Star Team (Kamloops BlazersKamloops BlazersThe Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
) - 1990–91 — CHLCanadian Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
— Scholastic Player of the Year (Canadian major junior) - 1991–92 — WHL — West First All-Star Team (Kamloops Blazers)
- 19921992 Memorial CupThe 1992 Memorial Cup occurred May 9-May 17 at the Coliseum in Seattle, Washington. Participating teams were the Western Hockey League host Seattle Thunderbirds, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League which were the Verdun...
— Memorial CupMemorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
— Stafford Smythe Memorial TrophyStafford Smythe Memorial TrophyThe Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Hockey League trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the annual Memorial Cup Tournament...
(MVP)- New Jersey Devils
- 1992–93 — NHL All-Rookie TeamNHL All-Rookie TeamThe NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
(defenceman) - 1994–95 — Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
(New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) - 1997–98 — Played in NHL All-Star Game
- 1997–98 — NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
— Second All-Star TeamNHL All-Star TeamThe NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
(defenceman) - 1999–2000 — Stanley Cup (New Jersey Devils)
- 2000–01 — Played in NHL All-Star Game
- 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
- Won Olympic Gold with Team Canada - 2002–03 — Stanley Cup (New Jersey Devils)
- 2003–04 — Played in NHL All-Star Game54th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 54th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place during the 2003–04 NHL season and was held on February 8, 2004, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, official arena of the NHL's Minnesota Wild...
- 2003–04 — NHL — First All-Star Team (defenceman)
- 2003–04 — NHL — James Norris Memorial TrophyJames Norris Memorial TrophyThe James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in...
(Defenceman of the Year)- Anaheim Ducks
- 2005–06 — First All-Star Team (defenceman)
- 2006–07 — Selected as Starter for NHL All-Star Game55th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 55th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Dallas, Texas, on January 24, 2007. The Western Conference was victorious, defeating the Eastern Conference 12–9...
(but did not play) - 2006–07 — NHL — Conn Smythe TrophyConn Smythe TrophyThe Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
(Playoff MVP) - 2006–07 — NHL — First All-Star Team (defenceman)
- 2006–07 — Stanley Cup (Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
) - 2007–08 — Played in NHL All-Star Game
- 2008–092008–09 NHL seasonThe 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
— Played in NHL All-Star Game - 2010 Winter Olympics - Won Olympic Gold with Team Canada
Movements
- June 9, 1991 - Drafted by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1st round, 3rd overall. - August 4, 2005 - Signed by the Mighty Ducks of AnaheimAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
as a free agent. - June 22, 2010 - Retired from Professional hockey
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1989–90 | Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
64 | 14 | 55 | 69 | 64 | 17 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 35 | ||
| 1990–91 | Kamloops Blazers | WHL | 57 | 26 | 56 | 82 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Kamloops Blazers | WHL | 35 | 7 | 32 | 39 | 61 | 17 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 28 | ||
| 1991–92 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 80 | 11 | 29 | 40 | 47 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 10 | 36 | 46 | 42 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 1994–95 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 48 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 10 | ||
| 1995–96 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 79 | 8 | 25 | 33 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 5 | 30 | 35 | 64 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | ||
| 1997–98 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 14 | 43 | 57 | 27 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1998–99 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 72 | 11 | 35 | 46 | 26 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 18 | ||
| 1998–99 | Utah Grizzlies Utah Grizzlies (1995-2005) This is about the defunct IHL/AHL team that folded in 2005. For the current ECHL team, see Utah Grizzlies.For information about the Minor league baseball team known as the Denver Grizzlies , see Denver Grizzlies .... |
IHL | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 71 | 7 | 31 | 38 | 48 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 2000–01 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 57 | 6 | 29 | 35 | 22 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 14 | ||
| 2001–02 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 76 | 11 | 22 | 33 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 11 | 28 | 39 | 62 | 24 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 16 | ||
| 2003–04 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 14 | 40 | 54 | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 2005–06 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 82 | 13 | 50 | 63 | 96 | 16 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 14 | ||
| 2006–07 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 79 | 15 | 54 | 69 | 86 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 26 | ||
| 2007–08 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 48 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 82 | 14 | 45 | 59 | 70 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 11 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 80 | 10 | 38 | 48 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1263 | 172 | 568 | 740 | 784 | 202 | 25 | 73 | 98 | 155 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 15th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in various communities in Saskatchewan, Canada... |
Canada | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1992 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 16th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held from December 26, 1991 until January 4, 1992. It was held in Füssen and Kaufbeuren, Germany... |
Canada | WJC | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |
| Junior int'l totals | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |||
| 1996 1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey .... |
Canada | WCH World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2002 Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:... |
Canada | Oly Ice hockey at the Olympic Games Ice hockey tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics... |
6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2004 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna... |
Canada | WC Ice Hockey World Championships The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European... |
9 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | |
| 2004 2004 World Cup of Hockey The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues... |
Canada | WCH | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | |
| 2010 Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the... |
Canada | Oly | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Senior int'l totals | 36 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 35 | |||
See also
- List of family relations in the NHL
- Rob NiedermayerRob NiedermayerRobert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played