Scott Niedermayer: The Most Decorated Player In Hockey History

Winning hockey championships is never easy. Anyone who has ever played knows that there is no better feeling in sports than winning a tournament, a medal game or a banner, no matter what level you play at, from rec to competitive, from minor to pro hockey.

For Scott Niedermayer  titles came everywhere he played, and there is little doubt in anyone’s mind that he was a key piece in each and every one of them. He is the only man to win every North American and International championship in his career. He was a great defenseman, captain and a sure 1st ballot Hall of Famer. He conquered the hockey world one title at a time.

Starting with his junior career with the Kamloops Blazers  of the  WHL, Niedermayer was a two time 1st team All-Star and the 1991 CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, which recognizes strong performance in hockey and school.

In 1992, he led the Blazers to the Memorial Cup  and was named the tournament MVP.

Also in 1991, Scott tasted his first international success, winning the Gold Medal with Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

He was taken by the New Jersey Devils  with the 3rd overall pick in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

In just his 3rd NHL season, The Devils won their first  Stanley Cup.

During his 12 seasons as a member of the Devils, Scott Niedermayer won 3 Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000 and 2003, Olympic Gold in 2002, the World Cup of Hockey in 2004 and a World Hockey Championship in 2004. Individually he was named to the All Rookie Team in 1993, played in 3 NHL All-Star games, was a 2nd Team NHL All-Star in 1998 and an NHL 1st Team All-Star in 2004 the year he won the James Norris Trophy  as the NHL’s best defenseman.

In 2005, he signed as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks  and the accolades came along with him.

In just 5 seasons with the Ducks, Niedermayer won a 4th Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP and in his final season, he captained Team Canada to the 2010 Olympic Gold Medal in his home province of British Columbia.

Oh yeah, he was also selected to play in 3 more All-Star games and was an NHL 1st Team All-Star twice more in 2006 and 2007.

He amassed 740 points in 1263 NHL games with another 98 points in 202 playoff games.

Internationally, he totalled 16 points in 35 games representing Team Canada.

It may have been Charlie Sheen who turned the word “Winning” into a catchphrase, but in the hockey world dictionary, if you look the word up, there will be a picture of Scott Niedermayer.