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Time for Niedermayer Way: MLA Shypitka
Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka would like to see the City of Cranbrook honour one of the most accomplished hockey players in the history of the game.
City son Scott Niedermayer recently received another honour to add to his already stacked credentials when the Anaheim Ducks announced they were retiring his number – 27.
Niedermayer, turning 45 on August 31, is one of only two players to have won Memorial Cups (two), World Junior Championship gold (1991), Stanley Cups (four), World Championships (2004), Olympic gold medals in 2002 and 2010, when he served as captain of Team Canada, and a World Cup of Hockey gold (2004).
Former Anaheim Ducks teammate Corey Perry has also been part of all six championship teams, though Niedermayer has his name on the cup three more times.
A five-time all-star, Niedermayer earned the James Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the league in 2003/04 as a member of the New Jersey Devils, with whom he played for 13 seasons.
He also took home the Conn Smythe award (MVP of the playoffs) in 2006 when he led the Ducks to their only Stanley Cup championship, his fourth. He helped lead the Devils to cup titles in
In total, Niedermayer played five seasons with the Ducks, from 2005 to 2010 when he retired. He played 371 of his 1,263 NHL games with the Ducks. Over his NHL career, Niedermayer racked up 172 goals, 568 assists and 740 points.
He was the third overall draft selection, by New Jersey, in the 1991 NHL entry draft, selected after Eric Lindros (Quebec) and Pat Falloon (San Jose).
Prior to his NHL career, the sublimely excellent skater led the Kamloops Blazers to two Memorial Cup titles
He is now an associate coach with the Ducks.
Of course, Scott’s younger brother Rob also had a distinguished NHL career.
Drafted fifth overall in the 1993 entry draft, Rob played 17 NHL seasons for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, where he won his only Stanley Cup with Scott (pictured above), the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres.
In 1,153 games played, Rob scored 186 goals and 283 assists for 469 points.
He captured gold with Team Canada in the 1993 World Junior Championships, as well as gold in the 2004 World Championship, again playing alongside Scott.
With all that in mind, MLA Shypitka said it is time Cranbrook officially recognized Scott by naming a thoroughfare after him.
“When I first sat on Cranbrook city council, I brought up the idea of changing the short track of 17th Avenue South, on the west side of Western Financial Place, to be renamed ‘Niedermayer Way,’” Shypitka said in a Facebook post.
“I think this would be a classy tribute not only to Scott for his unprecedented accomplishments but the Niedermayer family as well. They have put Cranbrook on the map. I would dare say we will not see national and international accomplishments like this from someone who lived in Cranbrook for quite sometime. The time is now to push for this tribute,” he said.
– Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
