Scott Niedermayer (Getty/NHL Images)

Newark, NJ – The National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils will honor defenseman Scott Niedermayer, one of their all-time greatest players, by raising his no. 27 to Prudential Center’s rafters on Friday, December 16, when the club hosts the Dallas Stars at 7:00 PM.  The announcement was made by Devils’ President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello.

“Scott Niedermayer’s talent and leadership played significant roles in each of our three Stanley Cup Championships,” said Lamoriello.  “We look forward to welcoming the Niedermayer family back to New Jersey as we retire Scott’s no. 27.”

Niedermayer, who was one of just five individuals to play on all three of New Jersey’s Stanley Cup Championship teams, announced his retirement as a player on June 22, 2010.  His 17-season National Hockey League career included 12 years with New Jersey from 1991-92 through 2003-04, and five seasons with Anaheim from 2005-06 through 2009-10.  Niedermayer served the Devils as captain from January 9, 2004 through the end of the 2003-04 season.  He captained the Ducks to the 2007 Stanley Cup Championship, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player.

“You don’t really think about it, but then when you do get that call and you do have the time to think about it, it means a lot,” added Niedermayer.  “I was in New Jersey for a long time and had a lot of great things happen to me there.  It’s a special honor, for sure.”

Born August 31, 1973 in Edmonton, Alta., Niedermayer appeared in 892 regular-season games in a Devils’ sweater, trailing only Ken Daneyko (1,283 games) and Scott Stevens (956) among defensemen in franchise history.  His totals of 112 goals, 364 assists, and 476 points all rank first in team history at the position.  Niedermayer had career totals of 172 goals and 568 assists for 740 points in 1,263 regular-season games.  He was the recipient of the 2003-04 James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league’s best defenseman, named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team three times (2003-04, 2005-06 & 2006-07), 1997-98 Second All-Star Team, 1992-93 All-Rookie Team, and participated in five NHL All-Star Games (selected, but did not play in 2007).  Niedermayer also saw action in 202 career post-season contests, recording 25 goals and 73 assists for 98 points and 155 penalty minutes.  He was New Jersey’s first choice, and third overall selection in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.  At 18 years, one month, and 15 days old at the time of his NHL debut, Niedermayer holds the distinction of the youngest player in team history.

Niedermayer played for Gold Medal-winning Team Canada at the 2002 and 2010 (Captain) Olympic Winter Games (selected, but did not play in 2006).  He also represented his country at the 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey, winning the championship in 2004.  Niedermayer played for Canada at the 2004 World Championships (Gold), as well as the 1991 (Gold) and 1992 World Junior tournaments.  He played three seasons of junior hockey at Kamloops, where the Blazers won two WHL Championships.  Niedermayer was named MVP of the 1992 Memorial Cup, as his squad captured the championship.  He is the only individual to win at every level:  Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, World Cup, World Championship, World Junior Championship, and Memorial Cup.

Scott and his wife, Lisa, have four sons:  John, Jackson, Joshua, and Luke.  He will become the third player in team history to have his jersey number retired, joining Stevens (4), Feb. 3, 2006 and Daneyko (3), Mar. 24, 2006.