The Anaheim Ducks are retiring the numbers of two Canadian Olympic gold medalists. On Monday, the Ducks announced they plan to retire the numbers of Paul Kariya’s number nine and Scott Niedermayer’s number 27.
Kariya, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, played nine seasons with the Ducks from 1994 to 2003. A two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner, Kariya had 300 goals and 369 assists for 669 points in 606 games. In 1996-97, he led the NHL with 10 game winning goals. Kariya also represented the Ducks in seven National Hockey League All-Star Games and was on the NHL’s first all-star team thrice. Kariya’s ceremony will be October 21 as the Ducks host the Buffalo Sabres.
Niedermayer. a native of Edmonton, Alberta, played five seasons with the Ducks from 2005 to 2010. While with the Ducks, Niedermayer won the 2007 Conn Smythe Trophy, which is presented to the most valuable player to his team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Niedermayer had three goals and eight assists for 11 points as the Ducks won their only Stanley Cup in franchise history. In 371 games with Anaheim, Niedermayer had 60 goals and 204 assists for 264 points. A first team all-star in 2006 and 2007, he represented the Ducks at the 2008 and 2009 NHL All-Star Games. Niedermayer’s ceremony will be February 17 when they host the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
Kariya and Niedermayer each won a gold medal for Canada in men’s hockey at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Niedermayer also won a gold medal for Canada in men’s hockey at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
