Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Scott Niedermayer grew up in Cranbrook, British Columbia, where his father was a general practitioner at the Cranbrook hospital. As a teen, his idol was Paul Coffey. Niedermayer played his junior hockey with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL winning a Memorial Cup in 1992, while capturing the Stafford Smyth Memorial Trophy as the tournament MVP.
A two-time WHL West First Team All-Star (1991-1992) and CHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year (1991), Niedermayer was the third overall draft pick in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft at the tender age of 18, a selection the Devils had acquired from Toronto for Tom Kurvers. Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1993, Nierdermayer spent his first two years, working hard to refine his style under head coach Jacques Lemaire. The adjustment was difficult for Niedermayer as he tried to fit in on a team that had a reputation as one that emphasized physical play over finesse, with bruising stalwarts like Claude Lemieux and Scott Stevens leading the way under Lemaire's tutelage.
A four-time Stanley Cup winner in 1995, 2000, 2003, and 2007 Niedermayer is a strong puck carrying defenceman who is one of the league's best skaters and is blessed with outstanding speed and offensive instincts. In 2003-04, Niedermayer established a career high in points with 54 (14-40-54)and capped off his career year by winning his first Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman.
Following a lock out season in 2004-05, Niedermayer became an un-restricted free agent and opted to sign with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and join his younger brother Rob. In his first season in Anaheim, Niedermayer recorded a career high 63 points and appeared in each game with his new club. The following season the newly named Anaheim Ducks bolstered their blueline by adding Chris Pronger in the off-season. The two combined to help the Ducks to franchise records in points and wins. Their remarkable season carried into the 2007 NHL playoffs where the Ducks steamrolled over the Ottawa Senators. Niedermayer was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP of the playoffs.
Internationally, Niedermayer has represented Canada at the 1991 and 1992 World Junior Championships where he was named to the All-Star Team, at the 1996 World Cup, the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City where he helped Canada capture its first gold medal in over 50 years and was a member of its 2004 gold medal World Championship team, its 2004 World Cup team, and its 2006 Winter Olympic team.
In 2010 Niedermayer was again selected to be part of the Canadian team at the Olympic games. This time the tournament would take place on home soil and Scott would be named captain. Canada would defeat the USA to capture the gold medal.
