Ducks D Niedermayer officially back

Dec 16, 2007 - 12:08 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Scott Niedermayer officially is back with the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks on Saturday terminated Niedermayer's suspension and placed him on the active roster.

The Conn Smythe Trophy-winning defenseman, who had been contemplating retirement since the Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup Finals last June, announced last week that he would return to the team.

By league rules, Niedermayer was suspended for not attending training camp while he mulled retirement.

To make room for Niedermayer, the Ducks assigned center Geoff Platt and defenseman Bruno St. Jacques to Portland of the American Hockey League.

The return of Niedermayer is big boost for the Ducks, who are just 15-15-4 and in third place in the Pacific Division.

Niedermayer, who recorded a career-high 69 points last season, has collected 140 goals and 468 assists in 1,053 career regular-season contests.

The third overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in 1991, Niedermayer's resume is an impressive one. In addition to four Stanley Cups, including three with New Jersey, he also has won an Olympic gold medal, the Memorial Cup, the World Cup of Hockey title and gold at both the World and World Junior Championships.

Anaheim also recalled right wing Bobby Ryan from Portland on Saturday.

Drafted second overall in 2005, Ryan made his NHL debut with the Ducks at the start of the season, recording one goal in four games before being sent to the Pirates on October 6. The 20-year-old has collected 10 tallies and 14 assists in 25 contests with Portland.