The key component for a Canadian Olympic gold medal seems to be hockey's winningest man: Scott Niedermayer.
Niedermayer captained Team Canada to gold in 2010, and was a top player on their previous gold medal championship in 2002. Niedermayer was inexplicably left off of the 1998 team, and was injured in 2006. Canada did not step on the podium without him.
He was instrumental in Canada's 2010 success, playing his best when his team needed him the most. The veteran was a calming influence and arguably the team's best defenseman in the gold medal game.
Niedermayer does not always get properly credited as one of the all time great blue liners. He has always been recognized as a great skill player, but not necessarily reveered as a legend.
That is partially because his quiet, laid back persona off the ice. But on the ice he is a true champion. In addition to the two Olympic gold medals, Niedermayer has also won the Memorial Cup, World Junior and World Championships, a World Cup and four Stanley Cups. All he does is win.
To me, that makes him one of the greatest hockey legends.
3 comments:
He's won 4 stanley cups - 3 in Jersey and one in Anaheim. Great article otherwise.
Niedermayer is one of the most widely-decorated award winners and champions in hockey history. His resume says it all:
2 Olympic gold medals (1 as capt.)
4 Stanley Cups (1 as capt.)
a Conn Smythe Trophy
an IIHF World Championship gold
a Norris Trophy
3 First All-Star Teams
a World Cup of Hockey
a World Junior Championship gold
a Memorial Cup (tourn. MVP)
This isn't likely, but I am crossing my fingers that he will return to New Jersey to finish his career with the Devils!
Hey Joe,
Great Blog. Just a further to Scotty's great career, he also lead his hometown, Cranbrook (where I live) to a BC AAA Provincial Championship at the Peewee and Bantam levels at the 1987 and 89 BC Championships, respectively. So at every competitive level he's played at he has a championship.
Jeff
Post a Comment