Scott Niedermayer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scott Niedermayer
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2013
Niedermayer with Canada in 2010
Born	(1973-08-31) August 31, 1973 (age 51) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	New Jersey Devils Anaheim Ducks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	3rd overall, 1991 New Jersey Devils
Playing career	1991–2010
Medal record Representing  Canada Men's ice hockey Olympic Games Gold 2002 Salt Lake City Gold 2010 Vancouver World Championships Gold 2004 Czech Republic World Cup Gold 2004 World Cup of Hockey Silver 1996 World Cup of Hockey World Junior Championships Gold 1991 Canada

Scott Niedermayer (born August 31, 1973) is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman. He is also a special coach for the Anaheim Ducks. Scott played for 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played over 1,000 games for the New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks.

Niedermayer won the Stanley Cup four times. He also played in five NHL All-Star Games. In 2003–04, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman. In 2007, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy. This award is for the most valuable player in the playoffs. In 2017, Scott was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players ever.

As a junior player, Niedermayer helped the Kamloops Blazers win two championships. He was also named the most valuable player of the 1992 Memorial Cup. This led the Blazers to win the Canadian Hockey League championship. The New Jersey Devils picked him third overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. Scott played most of his career with the Devils. He then moved to Anaheim in 2005.

Scott Niedermayer played for Team Canada many times. He is a member of the Triple Gold Club. This means he won the Stanley Cup, a World Championship (2004), and Olympic gold medals (2002, 2010). He also won the Memorial Cup, the World Junior Championships, and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. This makes him and Corey Perry the only players to win all six major North American and international hockey titles. In 2020, he was added to the IIHF All-Time Canada Team.

Many people see Niedermayer as one of the best defencemen in NHL history. He has received many awards. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He joined the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2015. The New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, and Kamloops Blazers have all retired his jersey number.

Early Life and Family

Scott Niedermayer was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He lived in Cassiar, British Columbia for three years. Then, his family moved to Cranbrook, British Columbia. His father, Bob, was a doctor. His mother, Carol, was a teacher. Scott has a younger brother named Rob.

Scott and Rob were very close as kids. They often played hockey together. Their mother taught them how to skate. She even enrolled them in figure skating to help them improve their skills. She also taught power skating classes to get more ice time for her sons. Scott was an offensive defenceman. He led his Cranbrook midget team in scoring in 1988–89. He scored 55 goals and 92 points that season.

Scott's Junior Hockey Career

Scott Niedermayer played junior hockey for three seasons. He played with the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League (WHL). This was from 1989 to 1992.

Early Junior Success

In his first season, 1989–90, he scored 69 points in 64 games. He helped the Blazers win the President's Cup. This made them WHL champions. The Blazers went to the 1990 Memorial Cup. They were the top team in Canada. However, they lost all three games in the tournament.

Scott earned many awards in 1990–91. He scored 26 goals and 82 points in 57 games. This earned him a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team. He also won the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy. This award is for the WHL's best student-athlete. He also won the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year award.

Becoming a Top NHL Prospect

Niedermayer was a top player for the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. The New Jersey Devils picked him third overall. He started the 1991–92 season with the Devils. They wanted him to experience the NHL. Scott made his NHL debut on October 16, 1991. He played against the New York Rangers. He played four games with the Devils and had one assist. Then, he was sent back to junior hockey.

In the 1991–92 WHL season, Scott played only 35 games. But his 39 points still earned him another spot on the West All-Star team. The Blazers won their second WHL championship in three years in 1992. Niedermayer tied for third in playoff scoring with 23 points. At the 1992 Memorial Cup, he scored seven points in five games. He led the Blazers to win the national championship. He was named the most valuable player of the Memorial Cup.

Playing in the NHL

New Jersey Devils Years

Niedermayer joined the Devils full-time in 1992–93. He scored his first NHL goal on November 8, 1992. It was against the San Jose Sharks. Scott played 80 games, scoring 11 goals and 40 points. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

In 1993–94, Niedermayer got 48 points. He added 4 points in 20 playoff games. The Devils reached the Eastern Conference Final. They lost to the New York Rangers in seven games. The Devils made another long playoff run in the 1994–95 season. This season was shorter due to a lockout. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time. Niedermayer scored 11 points in 20 playoff games. The Devils won the Stanley Cup by sweeping the Detroit Red Wings in four games.

Scott had 33 points in 1995–96. But the Devils missed the playoffs. This was the first time a defending champion missed the playoffs in 26 years. After a 35-point season in 1996–97, Niedermayer had his best season in New Jersey in 1997–98. He scored 14 goals and 57 points. He played in his first NHL All-Star Game and scored a goal. He was also named to the NHL's Second All-Star team.

Niedermayer wanted a higher salary. He did not agree on a contract before the 1998–99 season. So, he started the year not playing. He joined the Utah Grizzlies of the International Hockey League (IHL). After missing a month of the NHL season, he signed a new contract with the Devils. He played 71 games that season and had 46 points.

In the 1999–2000 season, Niedermayer was suspended for ten games. After returning, his strong defensive play helped the Devils win their second Stanley Cup. They beat the Dallas Stars in six games in the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals. When celebrating, Niedermayer took the Cup to Fisher Peak. This mountain overlooks his hometown of Cranbrook. He was famously pictured holding it high.

The Devils recognized Niedermayer's contributions to their team by retiring his uniform number 27 in 2011.

After his contract ended, he had another long negotiation with the Devils. He missed almost two months of the 2000–01 season. He finally signed a four-year contract. Niedermayer recorded 35 points in 57 games. He played in his second All-Star Game. In the playoffs, Niedermayer was injured in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Devils reached the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals, but lost to the Colorado Avalanche in seven games.

Niedermayer missed some games in the 2001–02 season due to back pain. His 33 points were his lowest in six seasons. Niedermayer and the Devils reached their fourth Stanley Cup Finals in 2002–03. This series was special for his family. Scott's brother Rob played for the other team, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Scott helped the Devils win their third Stanley Cup. He had two assists in the final game, a 3–0 victory.

Niedermayer became known as an elite NHL defenceman in 2003–04. Teammates and opponents praised his play. Other defencemen like Scott Stevens and Brian Rafalski were injured. So, Niedermayer played over 25 minutes per game. Sometimes he played over 30 minutes. He also became the Devils' temporary captain. He scored 14 goals and 40 assists, totaling 54 points. He played in his third All-Star Game. He was named a First Team All-Star for the first time. Niedermayer won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenceman. He finished second in scoring among defencemen. He also had a plus-minus rating of +20. He helped the Devils allow a very low 164 goals against.

His contract ended again. Niedermayer had another tough negotiation with the Devils. He was awarded a one-year contract for the 2004–05 season for $7 million. However, the entire season was cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout.

Anaheim Ducks Journey

Niedermayer with the Ducks in 2006.

In 2005, Niedermayer became a free agent. Many teams wanted him. The Devils offered him a big contract. But Niedermayer chose to sign with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He took a shorter contract and less money. He wanted to play with his brother, Rob, and win a Stanley Cup together. The Ducks immediately named Scott their captain.

In his first season in Anaheim, 2005–06, Niedermayer scored 63 points. He was named a First Team All-Star again. In the playoffs, the Ducks reached the Western Conference Final. They were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers.

With Chris Pronger on defence, Niedermayer helped the Ducks set team records in 2006–07. They had 48 wins and 110 points. Both Niedermayer and Pronger were finalists for the Norris Trophy. Niedermayer played his 1,000th career game on November 28, 2006. He set career highs with 15 goals, 54 assists, and 69 points. He was named a First Team All-Star. He added 11 points in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs. He won the Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. He led Anaheim to their first championship. They beat the Ottawa Senators in five games in the final. As captain, Niedermayer was the first to lift the Stanley Cup. He then passed it to his brother, Rob. It was Rob's first championship. Scott said it was a highlight of his career.

After winning his fourth championship, Niedermayer thought about retiring. He was still deciding when the 2007–08 season began. He did not report to the team and was suspended. Pronger became captain. Niedermayer decided to return in December. He played only 48 games that season, scoring 25 points. He played in his fourth All-Star Game.

After the Ducks lost in the first round of the 2008 playoffs, he thought about retiring again. But he quickly decided to return for the 2008–09 season. He became captain of the Ducks again. He played in his fifth All-Star Game. He scored 59 points in 82 games. In his final season, 2009–10, Niedermayer scored 48 points in 80 games. He announced his retirement as a player on June 22, 2010. He stayed with the Ducks as a consultant. In 2012–13, he became a special assignment coach for the Ducks.

International Hockey Career

Niedermayer had a long and successful international career. He won championships at all levels.

Junior International Play

He first played internationally at age 17. He joined the Canadian junior team at the 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He played three games. Team Canada won the gold medal with a late goal against the Soviet Union. He returned for the 1992 tournament. Canada finished sixth, which was disappointing.

Senior International Play

Four years later, in 1996, Niedermayer joined the senior team. This was for the first World Cup of Hockey. He had a goal and three assists in eight games. But Canada lost the final to the United States.

Niedermayer made his Olympic debut in 2002. He played six games. He helped Canada beat the United States 5–2 in the final. Canada won its first Olympic gold medal in hockey in 50 years.

Gold medals followed in 2004. Niedermayer scored five points in nine games at the World Championship. Then he added two points in six games at the World Cup of Hockey. In the World Cup final, Niedermayer scored a goal. Canada won 3–2 against Finland. He was supposed to play in the 2006 Olympics. But a knee injury forced him to miss the tournament.

Niedermayer's last international competition was at the 2010 Olympics. This was four months before he retired. He was named captain of the team. The tournament was held in his home province, in Vancouver. He led Canada to the gold medal. They won 3–2 in overtime against the United States.

Scott's Playing Style

Niedermayer at the NHL Awards in 2006.

Scott Niedermayer was an offensive defenceman. He was known for his amazing skating ability. People compared him to great offensive players like Paul Coffey. He could take the puck from his own goal line and turn a defensive play into an attack.

Early in his career, he sometimes struggled to play consistently. But by the end of his career, especially after winning the Norris Trophy in 2004, he was seen as one of the best offensive defencemen of his time. He was also known as one of the game's greatest winners. Scott Niedermayer and former Ducks teammate Corey Perry are the only players in hockey history to win every major North American and International title. These include the Memorial Cup, World Junior championship, Stanley Cup, World Championship, World Cup, and Olympic Games.

Scott Niedermayer has been honored many times. The New Jersey Devils retired his jersey number 27 in 2011. The Kamloops Blazers retired his junior number 28 in 2013. He has been inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Niedermayer was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. He was inducted on November 11, 2013.

Personal Life

Scott Niedermayer and his wife Lisa have four sons. The family lives in Penticton, British Columbia. But they often visit Cranbrook, where they spent off-seasons. Scott and Lisa are very active in their community. They are honorary co-chairs for the Walk for Kids. This charity event supports the Ronald McDonald House of Orange County.

Scott and his brother Rob also run a hockey school in Cranbrook. They started a fund that gives money to community groups. Scott is also an active environmentalist. He has worked with WWF-Canada to support protecting British Columbia's natural wilderness.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Awards and Honours

Niedermayer (left) presenting U.S. President George W. Bush with a Ducks jersey following their 2007 championship.

Images for kids

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  Niedermayer battles for the puck with Scott Hannan of the San Jose Sharks in his first season in Anaheim.