Olympian, NHL Player Scott Niedermayer Rules Out Retirement, Will Return To Ducks' Line For Next Season

Anaheim, CA (AHN) - Star defenseman Scott Niedermayer has ruled out retirement Thursday and will attend Anaheim Ducks' training camp this year.

The 38-year-old Niedermayer, who has won four Stanley Cups including three while playing for the New Jersey Devils, has opted to return to the Anaheim Ducks for another season. The 16-year NHL veteran joined the Ducks in 2005 and has registered 209 games with the club while amassing 36 goals and 121 assists. Niedermayer will be playing out his final year of his four-year contract worth 46.75 million, according to team spokesman Alex Gilchrist.

"I had a great time last season after returning to the team," Niedermayer, winner of the 2004 Norris Trophy award and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2007, told the AFP. "I'm excited about having another opportunity to win, and fully expect the team to be competing for another Stanley Cup next spring."

The native-born Canadian missed last year's training camp and did not return to the Ducks line-up until December after the team captured the Stanley Cup in June. He, however, played in 48 games for the Ducks and registered eight goals and 17 assists last season.

Niedermayer has the distinction of being the only player in hockey history to have won a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, World Championship, World Cup and the World Junior title. The five-time All-Star, who has never played for his native country, has collected a total of 633 points in 1,101 career games.