Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops Blazers ownership group consisting of Tom Gaglardi, Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor are honoured to announce that the hockey club will retire defenseman Scott Niedermayer’s no. 28. Niedermayer, one of the franchise’s all-time greatest players, wore the no. 28 for three seasons with the Blazers from 1989-1992.

The Blazers will retire Niedermayer’s jersey during a pre-game ceremony on Friday, January 25, 2013 when the Blazers host the Prince Albert Raiders. Niedermayer, his family, and many other past Blazer dignitaries will be present for the special pre-game ceremony.

“In my opinion, Scott is the best defenseman of his era,” commented co-owner of the Blazers, Tom Gaglardi. “Throughout his hockey career, Scott excelled and won at every level. His pedigree of winning and resume of accomplishments speaks for itself.”

Niedermayer suited up for 156 games with the Blazers and had 47 goals, 143 assists and 190 career points. The defenseman was instrumental in the Blazers first Memorial Cup win in 1992. Niedermayer fed a breakaway pass to Zac Boyer, who scored with 14.6 seconds left to lift the Blazers to a 5-4 victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 1992 Memorial Cup final.

The Cranbrook native went on to an incredible professional career in the National Hockey League. Niedermayer won four Stanley Cups over a 17-year career with New Jersey and Anaheim. He played 1263 NHL games recording 784 points.

Niedermayer is one of the most decorated hockey players of all-time. He is the only individual to win every major North American an international championship including the WHL Championship, Memorial Cup, World Junior Championship gold, Stanley Cup, IIHF World Championship gold, World Cup gold and Olympic gold.

“Not only did Scott have a terrific junior and professional career, he was instrumental for Team Canada at many world events,” continued Gaglardi. “Scott won at every level. We look forward to welcoming Scott and his family back to Kamloops on January 25th to retire his no. 28.”

The Kamloops Blazers / Jr. Oilers franchise has five numbers that hang in the rafters including Greg Hawgood’s no. 4, Mark Recchi’s no. 8, Dean Evason’s no. 20, Greg Evtushevski’s no. 26, and Rob Brown’s no. 44.

This will be the first jersey retirement ceremony the Blazers have hosted since 1990 when the hockey club retired Mark Recchi’s jersey. Niedermayer is also the first member of the three Memorial Cup Championship teams in 1992, 1994, and 1995 to have his jersey retired by the Kamloops Blazers.