After much anticipation here are my final respects paid to the career of Mr. Scott Niedermayer. As has been tradition I construct a write up detailing the athletic life and times of future Hall of Fame and legendary players in all sports following their announcement it all is over. A couple weeks ago Niedermayer did just that stating he would not seek a new contract with Anaheim or embark on a homecoming tour in New Jersey. Instead one of the greatest defensive careers in NHL history has come to an end. Now it is our duty to reflect back and pay reverence to his time on the ice.
Scott Niedermayer was drafted with the 3rd overall pick in the 1991 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils. For any of the younger fans out there, this franchise was not the same marque organization we know today. They were a struggling squad with very little star power cast in the shadow of both the Islanders and Rangers. Along with selecting Niedermayer, players such as Scott Stevens and the legendary Martin Brodeur were also just starting their careers in the Garden State. Niedermayer would take a year to join the NHL and then only play 4 games in the season in which he did, however, once he became a full time man he blossomed. Back to back 40 point seasons and the franchises first ever Stanley Cup Final appearance would follow. In that cup final the once basement dwelling New Jersey would shock the hockey world and sweep the mighty Red Wings. That season, 1995, Niedermayer would only suit up for 48 games, due to his first major injury, but play in all 20 post-season affairs.
Fast forward 5 more years, 2 more 40 point and his first 50 point campaign and Niedermayer and the Devils would sip from the cup again. This time New Jersey would defeat the defending champion Dallas Stars in a battle of two conference power houses. The Devils would return to the finals the following season but suffer a devastating loss in game 7 of the 2001 final, then having to watch Ray Bourque hoist the cup for the first time in his career.
One top of his already two cup rings Niedermayer would add an Olympic gold medal to his resume as a key cog to the 2002 Canadian team that broke their 40 year gold drought. His streak of appearing in big games would continue in 2003, New Jersey returned to the Stanley Cup Finals for the 4th time since he was drafted. However, this time it would tug at the heart strings a bit. Scott Niedermayer and the Devils would match up against the Western Conference champion Anaheim Mighty Ducks and his brother Rob. The Mighty Ducks much like the Devils back in 95, were appearing in their first title round and were trying to shed the label as a consistent non contender. Rob Niedermayer would lose in the finals for the second time, he was also on the runner up 96 Florida Panthers, while Scott continued to own the family trophy case. Scott would later say this was the most difficult time in his career, Scott's Devils would win their third cup, besting Rob's Ducks in 7 games. Scott would earn forgiveness a few years later though (foreshadowing). The next year would be Scott's last with the Devils, he would record his best individual season there totaling 54 points in 81 games. This would allow him to capture his only Norris trophy (best defenseman) and put an end, granted only for short time, to the reign of Mr. Norris trophy, Nicklas Lidstrom.
The 2004-2005 season would see the NHL lockout, although, Niedermayer had already signed on to join his brother and become a member of the team he robbed of a title just a couple years earlier. Despite their being no NHL season Nieds still found a way to pad is resume, he added another gold medal, this time at the World Championships. Now finally with a WC gold Scott Niedermayer would join hockey's most exclusive club, the Triple Gold Club (cup ring, WC gold, and Olympic gold). Once the lockout was over Scott Niedermayer would finally suit up for the new look Anaheim Ducks and his career would continue to take off. His first two seasons in Cali would easily be the best two years of his career stat wise, Niedermayer compiled back to back 60 point seasons, 63 and then his career high 69 in 2007. That could arguably be classified as the best overall year of hockey in Scott Niedermayer's life. He would not only dominate individually but also soak up the glory as the Ducks, just like the Devils in 95, would climb to the top of the hockey mountain for the first time, Anaheim would win a final against Ottawa. Unlike his other 3 ring years, Niedermayer would not just be part of the championship, he would be the best player. Niedermayer earned the Conn Smythe trophy given annually to the MVP of the post-season. This was much deserving, he posted 3 goals, 8 assists, and 11 total points on top of shutting down the Senator top line attack of Alferdsson, Spezza, and Heatley. This was also accomplished, again for the first time in his career, as captain of a title team. His favorite task as captain? You guessed it, he was able to present the Stanley Cup to his brother Rob. That's certainly the best possible way to apologize for hogging the cup back in 03.
Injuries would creep up to Niedermayer again in 2008, he was limited to only 48 games. After fully recovering Scott Niedermayer would leave a nice lasting impression the next two seasons, his last as a professional. Niedermayer threw up 59 and 48 points respectively in 2009 and 2010. His last Olympic tournament would take place the same year as his last NHL season, 2010. Just like 02 Scott would serve as one of the leaders on gold medal winning Canada. Scott Niedermayer became the only hockey player in history to ever win 4 Stanley Cups and 2 Olympic golds. His team reached the playoffs 15 out of his 18 seasons, Scott Niedermayer is right up there with sports true winners of the last 25 years.
Scott Niedermayer played in an era that saw some of the best blue line defenders in league history. Despite that fact Niedermayer proved to be among the top of that group and some day this will truly be appreciated as he will be enshrined in the hockey Hall of Fame. He may not have been the best on offense, he may not have been the absolute best on defense, however, Scott Niedermayer was a complete player and has now become a blue print to kids everywhere how to play the position the right way. There are currently only 6 players with their jersey retired by two teams, Howe, Gretzky, Messier, Roy, Bourque, and Bobby Hull. In the not to distant future Scott Niedermayer will undoubtably become the 7th.
# 27, Scott Niedermayer final stat line: 1,263 GP, 172 Goals, 568 Assists, 740 Points, 784 PIM, 90 PPG, 245 PPA, 1 SHG, 16 SHA, 39 GW, on 2,436 shots (98 playoff points).
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