Scott Niedermayer

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Lore & Background

Niedermayer's NHL debut came on October 16, 1991, against the New York Rangers, after sitting out the Devils' first five games. He appeared in four games that season, recording one assist, before being returned to junior hockey. Joining the Devils full-time in 1992–93, Niedermayer scored his first NHL goal on November 8, 1992, against goaltender Brian Hayward in a 6–1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He finished the season with 11 goals and 40 points in 80 games and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team on defence. In the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season, Niedermayer scored 11 points in 20 playoff games, including a key goal in game two of the Stanley Cup Final, as the Devils swept the Detroit Red Wings for their first championship. After a 57-point season in 1997–98, Niedermayer played in his first NHL All-Star Game and was named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team. He began the 1998–99 season as a holdout over a contract dispute, joining the Utah Grizzlies of the IHL before agreeing to a multi-year contract. In the 1999–2000 season, Niedermayer was suspended for ten games after swinging his stick at Florida Panthers forward Peter Worell, who suffered a concussion. After returning, his steady defensive play helped the Devils win their second Stanley Cup by defeating the Dallas Stars in six games. Niedermayer famously took the Cup to Fisher Peak overlooking his hometown of Cranbrook, British Columbia. Another contract holdout delayed the start of his 2000–01 season; he missed nearly two months before signing a four-year, $16 million contract. In the 2001 playoffs, Niedermayer was knocked unconscious by an elbow from Toronto's Tie Domi, who was suspended for the remainder of the postseason. The Devils reached the 2001 Stanley Cup Final but lost to the Colorado Avalanche in seven games. In 2002–03, Niedermayer faced his brother Rob, a member of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, in the Stanley Cup Final. Scott recorded two assists in the deciding seventh game as the Devils won 3–0 to claim his third championship. In 2003–04, Niedermayer averaged over 25 minutes of ice time per game due to injuries to Scott Stevens and Brian Rafalski, temporarily inherited the Devils' captaincy, and posted 14 goals and 40 assists. He played in his third All-Star Game, was named a First Team All-Star, and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenceman.

In Their Own Story

Late in game four of New Jersey's first round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2001, Niedermayer was knocked unconscious by a vicious elbow from Toronto's Tie Domi. Niedermayer later claimed that Domi had threatened to retaliate against him over a previous hit earlier in the series. Domi apologized for the incident, calling it a 'stupid reaction,' but was suspended for the remainder of the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs. The incident highlighted the physical toll of playoff hockey, but Niedermayer returned to help the Devils reach the 2001 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in seven games.

Reader's Guide

Scott Niedermayer was selected third overall by the New Jersey Devils at the 1991 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut on October 16, 1991, against the New York Rangers, appearing in four games before being returned to junior hockey. He joined the Devils full-time in 1992–93, scoring his first NHL goal on November 8, 1992, against Brian Hayward. Over his career with New Jersey, Niedermayer won three Stanley Cups (1995, 2000, 2003). He played in five NHL All-Star Games overall and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1992–93, the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1997–98, and the NHL First All-Star Team in 2003–04. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2003–04 as the NHL's top defenceman. Niedermayer was a restricted free agent multiple times, leading to contract holdouts in 1998–99 and 2000–01. He temporarily served as team captain in 2003–04 when Scott Stevens was injured. Niedermayer moved to the Anaheim Ducks in 2005.

Did You Know?

• Niedermayer scored his first NHL goal on November 8, 1992, against goaltender Brian Hayward.
• He was suspended for ten games in the 1999–2000 season after swinging his stick at Peter Worell, who suffered a concussion.
• Niedermayer took the Stanley Cup to Fisher Peak overlooking his hometown of Cranbrook, British Columbia, after winning in 2000.
• In the 2001 playoffs, he was knocked unconscious by an elbow from Tie Domi, who was suspended for the remainder of the postseason.
• Niedermayer faced his brother Rob in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final; Scott recorded two assists in the deciding Game 7.