Ducks to retire numbers of Kariya, Niedermayer next season

Two Anaheim Ducks legends are getting their jersey's retired, as both Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer will have their numbers raised to the rafters at Honda Center next season.

"Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayer both had an enormous impact on our franchise," a statement from Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli read. "Paul was the club’s first superstar player, helped put Anaheim on the NHL map and electrified fans with his speed and playmaking ability."

Kariya was drafted by the then-Mighty Ducks fourth overall in the 1993 NHL Draft and went on to score 300 goals and add 369 assists in 606 career regular-season games for Anaheim. He is also a five-time All-Star, two-time Lady Byng Award winner, and Hall of Famer.

As for Niedermayer, another member of the Hall, he won a Conn Smythe trophy and Stanley Cup as a member of the Ducks in 2007. He signed with Anaheim as a free agent in the summer of 2005 and went on to register 264 points in 371 regular-season games for the Ducks before retiring with the club in 2010.

Kariya will have his No. 9 retired on Oct. 21 when Anaheim hosts the Buffalo Sabres, and Niedermayer will have his No. 27 retired on Feb. 17 when the reigning Cup champion Washington Capitals visit Honda Center.