We just spoke of the importance of Scott Stevens to the Devils' defense and overall success of the team. Consider Scott Niedermayer at a similar level in both.
Niedermayer was drafted Third Overall in 1991, the same season in which Stevens was allocated to New Jersey as compensation for the signing of Brendan Shanahan. Niedermayer played four Games in the year he was drafted but became a full-time member of the roster the following year, quickly becoming regarded as one of the best two-way blueliners in the game.
After helping New Jersey win the Stanley Cup in 1995, he would have his first top-ten Norris season in 1997-98, where he scored 57 Points, his highest as a Devil, and secured a Second Team All-Star Selection. Niedermayer won another Cup with the Devils in 2000, and in 2003, he anchored the Devils in another title, where he led all skaters in the post-season in Assists (16) and Points (18).
Niedermayer would not win another Cup with New Jersey, but in his final year with the Devils (2003-04), he won the Norris Trophy and was ninth in Hart Trophy voting. He was also named a First Team All-Star, the first and only time he did so as a Devil. Niedermayer left New Jersey afterward for Anaheim, where he joined his brother, Rob.
After joining Anaheim, Niedermayer won his fourth Stanley Cup in 2007. The Devils retired his number 27 in 2011, and the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted him in 2013, his first year of eligibility. With the Devils, Niedermayer scored 476 Points with a healthy Plus/Minus of +172.
While Martin Brodeur was ranked at #1, we can argue that the Devils' run as a Stanley Cup contender truly began with the signing of Scott Stevens.
We love it when the decision is this easy.
2020 has been an awful year for legendary Green Bay Packers.
Hall of Fame Back, Paul Hornung passed away at age 84. He was battling dementia. This year, former Packers stars, Bart Starr, Willie Davis and Herb Adderley all have died.
Hornung was a superstar at Notre Dame where he won the Heisman Trophy in a year where the All-American led the Fighting Irish on Passing, Rushing, Scoring, Kickoffs, Punts and Punt Returns. The Green Bay Packers had the First Overall Pick in the 1957 Draft, and they used it on Hornung,
Hornung would be part of a transformation of fortunes for the Packers. A Pro Bowler in 1959, Hornung earned that again in 1960, where he was a First Team All-Pro and led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (13). The Packers went on to win the NFL Championship that year, and he had an even better follow-up.
In 1961, Hornung won the MVP Award making him the first player to win the Heisman and NFL MVP. Again, the Packers won the NFL Championship, and repeated it with another Title in 1962. Fate would deal him a blow, as NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle, suspended him and Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions for gambling.
Hornung was reinstated in 1964, but nerve problems were catching up to him. He played three more years, winning two more NFL Championships and was a member of the first Super Bowl Championship win.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends, fans and family of Paul Hornung.