Hockey Connections: The Niedermayer Brothers’ Shared

A Story Bigger Than the Game of Hockey

Every once in a while, the game of hockey gives us a story that hits a little deeper than the box score. The journey of Scott Niedermayer and Rob Niedermayer, two brothers from Cranbrook, British Columbia, is one of those rare tales—part family bond, part hard-earned payoff, and completely unforgettable for fans who watched it unfold.

Scott’s Path: Steady, Decorated, and Driven

Scott’s rise through the NHL is the kind most players dream about. He was that smooth-skating, calm-under-fire defenseman who always seemed to make the right play. By the mid-2000s, he had already stacked up multiple Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils (1995, 2000, 2003), and he was clearly heading straight to Hockey Hall of Fame. But in 2005, after leaving New Jersey, Scott did something that seemed to surprise a lot of people—he chose Anaheim. Not for fame, not for pressure, but for something perhaps more simple: the chance to suit up alongside his younger brother, Rob.

Rob’s Journey: Hard Work, Heart, and One Painful Near-Miss

Rob’s career took its own shape. Drafted 5th overall in 1993, he shifted from offense to a trusted two-way role throughout his NHL career, the kind coaches rely on when the stakes climb. He didn’t always grab the spotlight, but he earned respect everywhere he went. And in 2003, he came as close as a player can get to winning the Stanley Cup—only to lose in Game 7 to his brother Scott’s New Jersey Devils. Imagine that. One brother raising the Cup (for the 3rd time), the other brother watching from the opposing bench.

2007: The Season Everything Aligned for the Niedermayer Brothers

By 2007, the Ducks were loaded: a tough, balanced roster with veterans up front and a blue line anchored by Scott—who logged huge minutes—and Chris Pronger who joined the team after helping to lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006. With the Ducks, Rob fit right into the playoff grind, doing the kind of work fans appreciate even more in hindsight.

When Anaheim sealed the Stanley Cup victory, the moment could’ve easily followed tradition. But instead, we got something better. Scott lifted the Stanley Cup first—as captains do—and then immediately turned to hand it to his younger brother, Rob. No big speech. No spotlight-stealing. Just two brothers sharing the moment one of them had still been waiting his whole career for.

Scott’s Most Significant Pass to Rob: A Lasting Hockey Memory

And that’s why the story about the Niedermayer brothers and their 2007 Stanley Cup victory sticks with fans. It’s hockey at its most human level—competitive, emotional, and built on the connections that make the game of hockey feel like family.