Topic: Rob Niedermayer

Robert W. Niedermayer, Jr. (born December 28, 1974) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. He also played for the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. He is the younger brother of former NHL defenceman Scott Niedermayer (the two were teammates for four seasons) and cousin of Edmonton Oilers defenceman Jason Strudwick.

Although Rob Niedermayer and his brother Scott Niedermayer were born in Edmonton, Alberta, they grew up living in Cranbrook, British Columbia.

Niedermayer was drafted 5th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. At the time he was playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He started his NHL career right away, without playing a game in the minors. During the 1996 NHL season he set career highs in goals, assists, and points in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Panthers went on an improbable playoff drive to the Stanley Cup Finals, before being swept in four games by the Colorado Avalanche. Niedermayer was hurt by concussions in the next years and has never been able to achieve the same level of scoring ability again. His NHL role soon turned into a defensive forward.