Mike Brophy

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.

Scott Niedermayer retires having won almost every possible title.

Next stop, the Hockey Hall of Fame.

That will be four years from now, of course, but there is no question there is a spot in the Hall reserved for Scott Niedermayer.

On an historic day when the Hall of Fame welcomes three new players, including the first two female players, as well as two builders, the 36-year-old defenceman announced his retirement - again - and leaves the game as one of the most decorated superstars of all-time. You'll recall Niedermayer retired after helping the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2006-07, but changed his mind and returned to the team partway through the following season.

"It has been a difficult decision, but I feel it's real this time," Niedermayer told the media Tuesday afternoon in California. "I am excited about experiencing new opportunities, as well as pursuing my other interests. The last 18 years have been filled with more than I ever could have dreamed. There are many wonderful things I will miss about this game, especially the challenge of competing with my teammates. I wish them the best of luck in the future."

Niedermayer handcuffed his team the first time he retired because his cap hit was left on the books. That is not the case this time as he was to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Niedermayer, who will have to wait four years to be eligible for the Hall of Fame, is the only player in history to win the Memorial Cup (1992 Kamloops Blazers…he was also MVP of the tournament), the Stanley Cup (1995, 2000, 2003 with New Jersey; 2007 with Anaheim), a gold medal at the World Junior Championship (1991), two Olympic gold medals (2002, 2010), the World Championship (2004) and the World Cup (2004).

"When you look at all he has accomplished, there's no question he's going to the Hall of Fame," said fellow defenceman Chris Pronger, Niedermayer's teammate with the Ducks and Team Canada at the Vancouver Winter Olympics this year. "Obviously he played on some good teams with some good players, but there was one thing in common on all those teams - and that is Scott Niedermayer. One thing for sure is that he was a winner.

"As a teammate, he was kind of a quiet and unassuming guy who didn't have a whole lot to say, but if you got him 1-on-1 he was a very thoughtful and interesting guy."

Individually speaking, Niedermayer was named to the NHL's All-Rookie team in 1992-93; was a first team all-star three times and second team all-star once; won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman in 2002-03 and was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as most valuable player in the playoffs when the Ducks won the Cup in 2006-07.

Niedermayer, who was drafted by the Devils using the pick they received from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a trade for defenceman Tom Kurvers, was one of the most gifted skaters to ever play in the NHL; able to easily skate the puck out of his team's zone and join the rush. He could also control the pace of the game. If he felt things were getting a little hairy, he could control the puck and slow things down. Likewise, if he felt his team was sluggish, off he would go with the puck, inspiring his teammates to follow.

Based on his play this season, when Niedermayer finished with 10 goals and 48 points in 80 games, he could have gone on being an effective NHLer for years to come, however, it appears his passion for the game subsided. When you consider how many playoff games he played in his 17-year career, 202, it's no wonder he hit the wall. That's like playing an additional couple of seasons.

Niedermayer leaves the NHL having scored 172 goals and 740 points in 1,263 regular season games and another 25 goals and 98 points in 202 playoff games.

Niedermayer played the majority of his career with the New Jersey Devils and was part of one of the most effective defence corps in league history along with Scott Stevens, Brian Rafalski, Colin White and Paul Martin. Following the lockout year of 2004-05, Niedermayer signed a four-year contract with the Ducks and was joined on the team by his brother, Rob. It has been suggested Scott accepted less money from the Ducks than the Devils offered and the difference was tacked onto his brother's contract. Ah, brotherly love!

Niedermayer won't be playing next season, but he won't be going too far, either.

"What Scotty has done for our franchise is immeasurable," GM Bob Murray said. "While we will miss him on the ice, we are extremely happy that he will be staying with our organization in an advisory capacity. We thank and congratulate Scotty on a tremendous career, one that is certainly Hall of Fame worthy."

No question about it.