After helping in the search for the Anaheim Ducks new general manager, Scott Niedermayer will take on a role in the front office. The Ducks have announced that Niedermayer is now a special advisor to the hockey operations department and will work with new GM Pat Verbeek. In a statement, Verbeek explained:
I’m really excited that Scott has taken on an enhanced role within our hockey operations staff. His winning culture and great hockey mind will help all of our players and staff moving forward.
One of the most decorated defensemen in NHL history, Niedermayer spent five seasons with the Ducks at the end of his career and won the Conn Smythe while leading them to their only Stanley Cup in franchise history. A four-time Cup winner himself, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014. It wasn’t just the NHL where he found success though. Niedermayer is a member of the Triple Gold club, with gold medals at the World Championships and Olympics, a gold medal winner at the World Cup and World Juniors, and a Memorial Cup winner (not to mention two-time WHL champion). Everywhere he goes, success followed him as he smoothly glided around the ice in control of any game he was part of.
For years, Niedermayer was also the owner of the Kootenay Ice of the WHL, but sold his part of the franchise a few years ago and rejoined the Ducks as a development coach for a time. He’ll now join the front office, even if it is in a limited role for the time being, and hope to drop a bit of that winning magic on the next wave of talent in Anaheim.
Really wished he’d join the Devils front office somewhere, we desperately need to bring back some of our dynasty players to show the fans that they are serious about turning this never ending rebuild around