The Niedermayers, New Jersey's Scott and Anaheim's Rob, are the first siblings to face off in a Cup final since 1946.
By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 26, 2003
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Skating on the ponds of British Columbia in western Canada, Scott Niedermayer always thought he had an advantage playing against his younger brother, Rob.
Bigger tends to feel better when you are a youngster playing hockey.
"He was always a lot smaller than me until we got to 14 or 15. Then he got bigger than me, and we stopped fighting," a smiling Scott said Sunday, knowing quite well his relationship with brother will change in the next two weeks.
The Niedermayers will become the first brothers to play against each other in the Stanley Cup final since 1946 when the Devils face the Mighty Ducks in a best-of-seven series that starts Tuesday night.
The last brothers to face each other for the Cup were Boston's Terry Reardon and Montreal's Kenny Reardon.
"We were talking about that on the flight home," Devils coach Pat Burns said. "It's going to be fun. We all know Scotty, the way he plays. I am sure he is going to take the challenge of being the best brother."
These Niedermayers have had very different careers.
An All-Star defenseman with the Devils, Scott has won two Cups and was a member of Canada's gold-medal Olympic team. Rob, a center for the Mighty Ducks, is starting to play his best hockey after stops at Florida and Calgary.
The family feud on ice isn't too rare. Scott and Rob have faced off at least once or twice a year since joining the league in the 1990s. They went head to head in the playoffs in 2000 when the Devils swept Rob and the Panthers in the first round en route to winning a second Stanley Cup.
This time it is different. It is brothers competing for the biggest prize in hockey after three rounds of the playoffs. At this point, anything goes. But there will be no insults directed at the opposing player's mother.
"As kids growing up, being competitive, we were always playing against each other, so I guess it's only fitting that we're doing it in the Stanley Cup finals," said Rob Niedermayer, who came to Anaheim in a deal with Calgary this season.
Scott and his brother talked briefly Saturday by telephone, a day after the Devils beat the Senators in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final to join the Mighty Ducks in the final round.
Anaheim swept Minnesota in the Western Conference, and it has been waiting more than a week to find out its opponent.
"I am sure everyone is excited about it," Scott said. "My mom (Carol), it might not be an easy situation for her. I guess she probably wishes we both could end up winning, but that's not the case."
Scott, who at 29 is a year older than Rob, did his best to keep his emotions hidden, calling the experience fun.
Neither Niedermayer intends to ease up at this point, especially when the other is on the ice.
"You see who it is and you play it the same way you would," Scott said.
Rob agreed. "We both know each of us has a job to do out there," he said. "It's something that for two weeks, we both understand that. Afterward, we can look back and talk about it. It should be pretty special."
Rob hopes to get a little advantage this round. Since Scott has won two championships, he looks for extra support at home.
"I've talked with my mom and dad, I haven't asked them who they're going to cheer for. I hope they're siding with me," he said.
It appears he does have his mother's support.
"I'm proud of both of their accomplishments," Carol Niedermayer told the New York Times. "But Scottie has won two and Robbie hasn't won one. Although I will be rooting for both of them to do well on the ice, ultimately I would like to see the Ducks win the Stanley Cup."
Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko, who rooms with Scott, said the brothers are close. They used to spend summers camping, fishing and hiking. They cut back after Scott got married and started a family. Rob is a bachelor.
One of Scott's favorite moments in hockey involves Rob.
They were playing for their hometown of Cranbrook for a provincial title against undefeated Prince George. Rob was 12 and Scott was 13.
"We managed to win that game and my brother had four goals and was the star of that game," Scott said. "It was pretty neat. The littlest guy, the youngest guy won the game for us."
Scott is hoping the not-so-little and still youngest brother doesn't come up big again.
