Anaheim Ducks: Retiring numbers of Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer
The Anaheim Ducks announced via Twitter that both Paul Kariya’s #9, and Scott Neidermayer’s #27 will be retired. Unanimously, the decision has been met with approval from fans and analysts alike.
Not only are the duo part of Anaheim Ducks lore, but also authors of two most iconic moments in NHL history.
Kariya’s “Off the floor, on the Board!” is a staple of any postseason hype video. Any montage depicting the joys of winning Lord Stanley’s Cup is incomplete without Niedermayer handing the trophy off to his brother, Rob. Both players impact on Ducks history runs so much deeper than those two moments, however.
Having your number retired by a franchise goes beyond having a Hall-of-Fame career. An organization has determined a players impact on the team is such having another skater donning the number is unjust.
Currently, 271 players are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of fame, but only 124 numbers have been retired by franchises (Gretzky’s 99 is retired leaguewide). Kariya and Niedermayer’s numbers are worthy of being retired by Anaheim, but neither will do so without opposition.
A disturbance in the Force
After coming one win shy of hoisting The Cup in 2003, fans anxiously awaited the move(s) Anaheim would make to accomplish the task they fail just shy of reaching. Kariya‘s resigning was supposed to be an afterthought for the “Mighty Ones.” On July 4, 2013, when American’s across the nation were celebrating Independence Day, Ducks fans were living a nightmare. PK did the unthinkable; he left the Ducks.
Unlike John Tavares recent and understandable departure from a disheveled Islander team, Kariya’s breakup took the league by surprise. Fans were heartbroken and PK left to join an Avalanche team he felt provided him with a better chance of winning a championship. Karma caught up with Kariya, and his former team hoisted the cup and he retired empty-handed.
#9 in the rafters, #1 in our hearts
Entering the 2002-2003 postseason, the Ducks faced long odds at having success in the playoffs. Those sentiments were lost on a team manned by Jean-Sebastien Giguere in net and captained by Kariya.
Falling behind 3 games to 2 in the Stanely Cup finals verse New Jersey, Ducks were on the brink of elimination heading into game 6. In a moment forever etched into NHL history, for numerous reasons, Kariya was knocked unconscious by the head-shot hitman, Scott Stevens.
He would return at the beginning of the second period and scored the game-clinching goal on a slap shot as he raced up ice. The Ducks would fall short in game 7, but the magnitude of this play is enough to bear consideration for his number to be retired, but there’s more.
Not only was the Vancouver native the first ever Ducks draft pick, he was their first Super Star. Until the Ducks rekindled a fling with the eternal Teemu Selanne, PK held nearly every franchise scoring record. #9 was the Ducks first meaningful captain and the face Disney chose to build the franchise around.
There is no doubt Kariya’s number belongs in the rafters. It was an abomination Bobby Ryan was allowed to dawn the fabled #9. The banner hanging in the rafters of The Honda Center ensures Kariya’s legacy will not be forgotten or tarnished any further.
A subtle surprise for 25 years of Ducks hockey
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There’s been much debate about it if was the right time to immortalize Kariya in the Honda Center, but it came as a surprise Niedermayer would be joining him.
After 11 years in a Devils jersey and 3 Stanley Cup championships, it is no surprise they decommissioned #27 seven years ago. As great as Niedermayer was, he only played a brief 4 1/2 season for the Ducks. Is that enough time to cement a legacy?
The short answer is no. There are currently 7 players who have their jerseys retired with multiple teams. Legitimately, 7 seasons appears to be the standard for a jersey to be retired by a second club.
Two young teams, the Sabres, and Avalanche tried to jumpstart traditions and found it befitting to retire numbers of past their prime icons with limited contributions. With the Ducks having integrity, why would they make Niedermayer an exception to the rule?
Captain Calm and a Conn Smythe
Upon his arrival in Anaheim, Nied’s brought a calming influence both on and off the ice. He would slow the play down with his ability to control the puck and keep his composure when calls didn’t go our way (never did). Ultimately, he won the Conn Smythe when Anaheim became the first California team to hoist the Stanley Cup. However, what legitimizes Scotty’s legacy in Anaheim is aided by his post-playing career contributions.
After retiring in 2010, Nied’s has worked as an advisor to Bob Murray and is currently an assistant coach for the franchise. In all, #27 has been a part of the Ducks organization for 13 years. Having the massive amount of success in his limited time with the Ducks, coupled with his continued work for the franchise, there should be little debate his number shouldn’t be worn again by future Ducklings.
Getting “Jiggy” with it
It wasn’t surprising the Ducks decided to retire two numbers for the upcoming season, but it was the omission of 35 that was startling. Jiggy played parts of 9 seasons in Anaheim. Despite being upset by New Jersey in the 2003 NHL finals, he became only the 4th player to win the Conn Smythe in a losing effort. He authored one of the best goaltending performances in NHL postseason history.
Jiggy continued his stellar performance by backstopping Anaheim to a Stanley Cup crown in 2007. Giguere’s career began to decline shortly thereafter, and he was traded to Toronto in 2010.
Next: General Manager Bob Murray's Big Disconnect
On the ice, JS Giguere made a far bigger impact for the Ducks than Niedermayer. Which begs the question, “When is it Giguere’s turn?” He doesn’t have a Hall of Fame resume, but his impact in Anaheim hockey history is undeniable. The Samueli’s need to do the right thing and retire #35.
Apologies: I had mentioned that, “After coming one win shy of hoisting The Cup in 2013, fans anxiously awaited the move(s) Anaheim would make to accomplish the task they fail just shy of reaching.” Sorry for the error there. I meant 2003 and have corrected.