A True Class Act
By Editorial Staff
If you met him on the street, in a suit and tie, thin rimmed spectacles perched on his nose, graying hair, the shy smile, the soft voice; you’d think he was your local bank’s chief loan officer.
Superstar hockey player and “Captain Canada” would be the furthest thoughts from your mind. This guy is so smooth and so cool that we’ve actually forgiven him for being part of one of the most devastating losses in Ducks history, instrumental in making a grown man almost cry on international television and instigating one of the most ridiculous brawls in recent hockey history. I present to you, Scott Niedermayer – top flight blueliner, gentleman, diplomat, leader and all around good egg.
The man’s won four Stanley Cups, multiple Olympic medals, award after award on the professional and amateur levels and if I’m not mistaken, he just took the Betty Crocker Bake Off last week.
What predicated this story? Possible retirement!!! It is inconceivable for Scotty to not be part of the Ducks. His quiet dignity and leading by example on the ice has had a huge impact on a team that is looking more and more like a goon squad (look at the Wisnewski incident and the fact that we actually had crush-smash Arthukin on the squad for five minutes). We need more guys like Scott. Guys who play the game with respect and passion, but are also capable of standing up for themselves instead of relying on an enforcer to mete out retribution.
He maintains an almost Zen-like calm even in the face of utter stupidity. When asked how he felt about the fight over his stick, he shrugged, shook his head sadly and said it was a “shame”.
Reporters both in the States and Canada have sung his praises, writing that he’s the type of player that reminds them of “old time hockey” and should be the standard kids should hold themselves up to. And I think Scott realizes that future generations look up to him, just like he looked up to the players that came before him. Sometimes athletes forget that they are someone’s hero and will be emulated. I fervently hope no one is looking at Sean Avery as a role model. Yeesh.
Betraying the Devils and coming over to Sunny Southern California had to have been a no-brainer. Rumour has it that it was his brother Rob (who tragically is now a Devil) convinced him to join the Ducks, even though New Jersey had offered him more money. Hmm, let’s think about this for a second. Sun, sand and bikinis as opposed to stink, swamp and homeless people. Oooh, and let’s not forget that even though they have a brand, spanking new arena to skate around in, it’s name can be shortened to “The Poo”.
Not only was it great watching the brothers on the ice together, but you can’t say “Niedermayer” without smiling. Plus announcers had fun with calls. My all time favourite is “Niedermayer passes to Niedermayer, back to Niedermayer and Niedermayer SCOOOOORES!”
Now, if only someone would figure out a way to get the Staal quads all on the same team!
In the meantime, the Ducks are preparing for fun in Las Vegas. Scroll down to Adam’s April 13th post for some funny-arse pictures of Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The best one is definitely Getzy wearing an apron, a pink baseball cap and carrying cupcakes. That’s right. Cupcakes. Very manly.
http://ducks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=44118
Oh, and in case you think you know Scotty, check out these photos of a hunkahunk of burnin love!