Rob Niedermayer

Rob Niedermayer
Rob Niedermayer
Born	December 28, 1974 (age 51); Cassiar, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation	Professional ice hockey player (retired)
Years active	1993–2012
Known for	NHL player for Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres; Stanley Cup champion (2007)

Robert Wade Niedermayer Jr. (born December 28, 1974) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who competed in the NHL for 17 seasons, representing the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres.

He is the younger sibling of former NHL defenseman Scott Niedermayer, with whom he shared four seasons as teammates. Born in Cassiar, British Columbia, the brothers were raised in Cranbrook.

Playing career

Selected fifth overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft while playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, Niedermayer began his NHL journey immediately without time spent in minor leagues. During the 1995–96 campaign, he achieved personal bests in goals, assists, and overall points. That season saw the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Finals unexpectedly but ultimately fall in a sweep to the Colorado Avalanche. His peak performance occurred in 1998-99 when he recorded 18 goals and 33 assists totaling 51 points; however, later concussions curtailed his offensive output and transitioned him into a defensive forward role.

On July 23, 2001, Niedermayer was traded to the Calgary Flames along with a draft pick in exchange for Valeri Bure and Jason Wiemer. At the 2003 trade deadline, he was moved to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. That year, he played a key role in Anaheim’s surprising advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated in seven games by Scott Niedermayer’s New Jersey Devils. This marked the first occasion since 1946 that brothers faced each other in the Finals. In 2005, Scott joined Anaheim, making it their inaugural season playing together.

With Scott as captain and Rob as alternate captain, they captured the Stanley Cup together with Anaheim in 2007 after defeating Ottawa four games to one—becoming the first brothers to win the Cup as teammates since Duane and Brent Sutter did so in the early 1980s. Notably, Scott broke tradition by handing Rob the Stanley Cup for a celebratory lap around the rink.

Niedermayer signed with the New Jersey Devils on September 25, 2009, joining his brother who had spent 14 seasons there. On July 7, 2010, he agreed to a one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres reportedly valued at $1.15 million.

Following free agency after the 2011 season, Niedermayer continued his career by signing with HC Lugano of Switzerland’s National League A.

Personal

On July 16, 2006, Niedermayer married Jessica Bentall, his longtime partner and daughter of Barney Bentall; their relationship began in March 2001. Together they have three daughters.

For 18 years, Niedermayer held a minority ownership stake in the major junior team Kootenay Ice of the WHL before he and his brother Scott sold their shares to the Chynoweth family after the conclusion of the 2015–16 season.

Regular season and playoffs

... [Statistics continue unchanged] ...

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1990–91	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	71	24	26	50	8	12	3	7	10	2
1991–92	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	71	32	46	78	77	4	2	3	5	2
1992–93	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	52	43	34	77	67	—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Florida Panthers	NHL	65	9	17	26	51	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	13	9	15	24	14	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Florida Panthers	NHL	48	4	6	10	36	—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Florida Panthers	NHL	82	26	35	61	107	22	5	3	8	12
NHL totals			1,153	186	283	469	904	116	18	25	43	111

International

Year	Team	Tournament	Outcome	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1993	Canada	WJC	Template:Gold1	7	0	2	2	2
1999	Canada	WC	4th place	10	2	1	3	8
2004	Canada	WC	Template:Gold1	9	2	4	6	22
Junior career totals				7	0	2	2	2
Senior career totals				19	4	5	9	30

Awards and honours

Award	Year
WHL
East First All-Star Team selection	1993
NHL
Stanley Cup winner (Anaheim Ducks)	2007

Transactions

June 26, 1993 – chosen by the Florida Panthers in the first round, fifth overall, during the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
June 23, 2001 – traded to the Calgary Flames along with a second-round selection (Andrei Medvedev) in exchange for Valeri Bure and Jason Wiemer
March 11, 2003 – transferred to the Anaheim Ducks in return for Jean-François Damphousse and Mike Commodore
September 25, 2009 – signed as an unrestricted free agent by the New Jersey Devils
July 7, 2010 – inked a contract as an unrestricted free agent with the Buffalo Sabres

References

2005 NHL Official Guide & Record Book;

External links