Kariya, Niedermayer Jerseys to be Retired in Upcoming Season

The Ducks will retire the jerseys of Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer this coming season as part of the franchise's 25th anniversary celebrations. Kariya's #9 jersey will be raised on October 21 vs. Buffalo (5 p.m.), with Niedermayer's #27 to follow on February 17 vs. Washington (6 p.m.).

"Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer both had an enormous impact on our franchise." said Ducks Owners Henry and Susan Samueli. "Paul was the club's first superstar player, helped put Anaheim on the NHL map and electrified fans with his speed and play-making ability. Scott led our team to the first Stanley Cup in California's history with a Conn Smythe performance in 2007 that will be remembered in this community forever.
"Although Paul and Scott played in different eras of Ducks hockey, they shared similar traits: to captain the Ducks with class, dignity and determination."
A Closer Look at Kariya and Niedermayer's Careers
The Ducks 25th Anniversary 2018-19 NHL campaign presented by UCI Health will be celebrated with a chronological look back at the club's history, highlighted by the two jersey retirements. Numerous other special events and programs will take place throughout the upcoming season, with plans to be announced later this summer. Fans can find updated information about both jersey retirement nights, as well as the rest of the anniversary season's festivities by visiting
www.AnaheimDucks.com/Ducks25Tickets
and filling out an interest form to be sent updates directly.
The Ducks' first-ever draft pick in 1993 (fourth overall), Kariya went on to a Hall of Fame career (inducted in 2017). Kariya scored 300-369=669 points with a +52 rating in 606 career games with the Mighty Ducks. Among franchise leaders, Kariya currently leads in points-per-game (1.10), ranks second in power-play goals (107) and third in goals. A two-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner in 1996 and 1997, he went on to lead Anaheim to Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final against New Jersey, recorded 100-point seasons in 1995-96 and 1998-98, and a 50-goal season in 1995-96.
Kariya collected 402-587=989 points with a +31 rating in 989 career NHL games with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville and St. Louis. Kariya was named to the NHL's First All-Star Team three times (1996, 1997, 1999) and Second All-Star Team two times (2000, 2003), while also earning a spot on the NHL's All-Rookie Team in 1995. At the international level, Kariya represented Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in 2002 (gold) and 1994 (silver), World Championships in 1996 (silver) and 1994 (gold), and World Junior Championship in 1993 (gold).
"I am extremely honored and very thankful to Henry and Susan Samueli and the entire Ducks organization for this incredible recognition," said Kariya. "This is not something I ever dreamed would happen. I am very grateful to the community for their support, and I look forward to celebrating this special evening in October with all Ducks fans."
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, Niedermayer led the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup in 2007, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. He signed with Anaheim as a free agent on Aug. 3, 2005. He played five seasons with the Ducks, scoring 60-204=264 points over 371 contests. Niedermayer is the Ducks all-time leader in goals, assists, points and power-play goals (39) among club defensemen. He was the first player in hockey history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, World Championship, World Cup, Memorial Cup and World Junior title. In addition, Niedermayer is the only player in hockey history to have won a combination of four Stanley Cups and two gold medals.
"I received a very special call last week from Henry Samueli, informing me that the Ducks were going to retire my jersey," said Niedermayer. "What an incredible honor. I'm very grateful to have played for such an incredible organization in front of amazing Ducks fans. I'm also grateful for the amazing teammates, coaches and training staff I was able to work with in Anaheim. Together we achieved great things.
"I want to thank Henry and Susan Samueli for this honor. I am looking forward to the special night during the 25th Anniversary season of Ducks hockey."
Niedermayer scored 172-568=740 points with a +167 rating in 1,263 games over 18 NHL seasons with Anaheim and New Jersey. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman following the 2003-04 season and was named a finalist the following two years. He was also named an NHL All-Star six times during his NHL career (1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009). Niedermayer captained Team Canada to the gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and won his first Olympic gold in 2002. He also won gold with Canada at the 2004 World Championship, the 2004 World Cup and 1991 World Junior Championship.