The Vancouver Giants, in conjunction with the Western Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League, are proud to announce SCOTT NIEDERMAYER will be the guest speaker at the 2005 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Celebrity Banquet.
Niedermayer is one the most successful hockey players to come out of the WHL in the past decade. The native of Cranbrook, B.C. spent his entire major junior career with the Kamloops Blazers (1989-92). During that time, Niedermayer won a Memorial Cup in 1992 (where he was named the tournamentÕs Most Valuable Player), as well as both the WHL & CHL Scholastic Player of the Year awards in 1990 & 1991.
After being drafted by the New Jersey Devils third overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, Niedermayer has gone on to become one of the premier defenceman in the National Hockey League. He has helped the Devils capture three Stanley Cup Championships (1995, 2000, & 2003), plus he has won a Norris Trophy as the NHLÕs Top Defenceman (2004).
Scott has also excelled at the international level for Canada. In 1991, he won a Gold Medal at the World Junior Championships while in 2002 he collected a Gold Medal at the Winter Olympics. In 2004, he won a Gold Medal at the World Hockey Championships and he also helped Canada win the World Cup last August.
"WeÕre delighted to have Scott speak at the banquet next month," says Dan Fraser, Chairman of the Top Prospects Game Committee. "His accomplishments speak for themselves and thereÕs no question we are excited to have a future Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee speak at our event."
"Scott is the ideal person all junior hockey players should be looking up to today," says Ron Toigo, Majority Owner of the Vancouver Giants, host of the Top Prospects Game. "He is the ultimate role model for young athletes and I know the players who will be taking part in this event will learn a great deal from what he has to say."
The 2005 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Celebrity Banquet will be held Wednesday January 19 at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. (1601 Bayshore Drive). A silent auction will be held 11:30am-12:00pm while the luncheon will be held 12:00-1:30pm.
Tickets for the banquet are on sale. For more information, contact the Vancouver Giants office at 604.718.7464 (tel) or 604.254.2687 (fax).
