The Ducks announced on Tuesday that after 18 years in the NHL, team captain Scott Niedermayer has announced his retirement. Niedermayer will remain with the organization as a consultant to Executive Vice President/GM Bob Murray. Niedermayer is the only player in hockey history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, World Championship, World Cup, Memorial Cup and World Junior title (no other player other than Niedermayer has even won five of those six). No NHL player won more than Niedermayer?s four Stanley Cups during his playing career (Draper, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Maltby and McCarty have also won four in that time). In addition, Niedermayer is the only player in hockey history to have won a combination of four Stanley Cups and two gold medals. ?After two months of thinking about my future, I have decided to retire from playing in the National Hockey League,? said Niedermayer. ?It has been a difficult decision, but I feel it is the right time. I am excited about experiencing new opportunities, as well as pursuing my other interests. The last 18 years have been filled with more than I ever could have dreamed. There are many wonderful things I will miss about the game, especially the challenge of competing with my teammates. I wish them the best of luck in the future.?