Legendary Canadian hockey player Scott Niedermayer: biography and sports career

Scott Niedermayer, whose biography is presented in this article, is the legendary Canadian hockey player, who for many years played for different clubs in the NHL. He is the only player who has managed to win in all the most prestigious North American and international tournaments, including the Olympic Games, the World Cup and the Stanley Cup.

Biography

Robert Scott Niedermayer was born in August 1973 in the Canadian city of Edmonton. He is not the only hockey player in his family: his younger brother Rob plays in the NHL for the "New Jersey Devils", and cousin Jason Stradwick stands for Edmontonton Oilers.

Professional career

Scott Niedermayer in 1989 was drafted by the club "Kamloops Blazers", performing in the Western Hockey League. Already from the first season, the 18-year-old defender showed himself as one of the most promising players of the tournament. In 64 matches of the regular season, Niedermeier scored 14 goals and gave 55 assists.

The next season was a record for Scott. With an index of 82 (26 + 56) points, he got to the national team of all the stars of the ZCL, and also became the best player-student and the owner of "Daryl Kay Seaman Trophy" - awards for the best junior in the Canadian league. It was then that the scouts from the best NHL clubs turned their attention to the young hockey player.

Season 1991/92 Scott Niedermayer started in the status of one of the leaders of the team. He was highly productive - in 35 games he scored 7 goals and gave 32 assists. However, he could not finish the season until the end, because he changed the team.

12 "devilish" years

In 1992, on the NHL draft Scott Niedermayer was selected under the first number "Devils" from New Jersey. In the debut for himself a regular draw he went on the ice only in 4 matches.

In the 1992/93 season, Niedermayer was firmly entrenched in the main team of the new team. He played in 80 games, scored 11 goals and 29 assisted teammates. Thanks to these indicators, he was in the NHL rookie team.

The following season, Scott improved his scores - he scored 46 (10 + 36) points in 81 games. He also became the owner of the Stanley Cup for himself and for the New Jersey Devils.

Especially sensational was the final series against the "Detroit Red Wings". "Devils", despite their status as an outsider, defeated the opponent with a score of 4-0. A year later the team from New Jersey again reached the finals of the most prestigious hockey trophy of North America, but lost there to the club "Dallas Stars".

The chance to take revenge for this insulting defeat "The Devils" with Niedermayer in the lineup received in the 1999/00 season. They used it in full - defeated the club from Dallas in the final series, the second time in history became holders of the Stanley Cup.

Very successful for Scott was the 2002/03 season. His 39 (11 + 28) points in the regular season and 18 (2 + 16) in the playoff series greatly helped the "Devils" to again win the most prestigious trophy in North America.

In the next season, the last for himself in New Jersey, Scott Niedermayer finished on a positive note. In the regular season, he scored 54 (14 + 40) points, which allowed him to get into the national team of all NHL Stars, and also to become the owner of "James Norris Trophy" - awards for the best defender in the tournament.

Moving to Anaheim

During the lockout in the NHL, the Canadian defender did not play anywhere, but managed to change the team. Since August 2005, Scott Niedermayer - hockey player, playing for "Anaheim Ducks." With "Ducks" he signed a contract, according to which the fee for 4 years was to be about 27 million dollars.

The debut season in Anaheim Niedermayer began as a team captain. In 82 games played, the Canadian defender threw 13 goals and made 50 assists, thereby renewing his record of effectiveness.

The 2006/07 season again became a star-time for Niedermayer. He updated his bombardier record, typing 69 (15 + 54) points, and "Anaheim Ducks" win the Stanley Cup. Scott was also awarded the "Conn Smythe Trophy" award, which is handed to the player who has become the most useful in the playoff series.

Niedermayer held three more successful seasons in Anaheim Ducks, and then completed his playing career.

Performances at international competitions

Scott Niedermayer was a successful hockey player not only at the club level. For the first time trying on in 1991 the form of the Canadian youth team, he became the world champion in its composition.

For the national team defender made his debut in 1996 for the World Cup. In 2002, Niedermayer, along with the Canadian national team in Salt Lake City, became the Olympic champion.

But on this "golden" history of the hockey player has not ended. In 2004, Canadians became world champions, as well as World Cup holders. Virtually in each of the matches at these tournaments a very active role played Scott Niedermayer.

In 2010, a 37-year veteran took part in the home Olympics, where he was the team captain. In the final in overtime, the Canadian team squeezed their eternal rivals from the United States. Thus, Scott Niedermayer became a two-time Olympic champion. After the Games, he completed performances in his country's national team.