Scott Niedermayer, captain of Canada's Olympic team and four-time Stanley Cup winner, has retired after a glorious 18-season career in the National Hockey League.
Niedermayer is considered one of the greatest defenceman of his era and is a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was named most valuable player of the playoffs three years ago when he led the Anaheim Ducks to the championship.
His announcement comes four months after he captained Canada to a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
The 36-year-old Niedermayer is the Anaheim Ducks' captain but he also won Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils.
He has 172 goals and 568 assists in an 18-year NHL career, the last five seasons spent with the Ducks.
Niedermayer, of Cranbrook, British Columbia, played junior with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League before turning pro. He is part owner of the Kootenay Ice of the WHL.
Copyright 2010  AFP American Edition
