Cliff Fletcher, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that Joe Nieuwendyk has been named the hockey club’s special assistant to the general manager.

“Joe is an extremely intelligent individual, who has experienced success throughout his entire hockey career,” said Fletcher.  “We will value his contributions on all hockey decisions and he will be a great asset to our organization.”

Nieuwendyk, a 41-year-old native of Whitby, Ontario played 20 seasons in the NHL, from 1986 to 2007 for Calgary, Dallas, New Jersey, Toronto and Florida.  He won three Stanley Cups, for three different teams, in three different decades, including the Calgary Flames in 1989, where Cliff Fletcher was the general manager.  He also won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and the New Jersey Devils in 2003. 

In 1,257 NHL games, Nieuwendyk collected 564 goals and 562 assists for 1,126 points.  He ranks 19th in all-time NHL goals and 51st in all-time NHL points.  During his career the four-time NHL all-star amassed two 50-goal seasons, two 40-goal seasons and four 30-goal seasons.  As well, in 158 playoff games he recorded 116 points on 66 goals and 50 assists. Nieuwendyk played in 64 games for Toronto in 2003-04 and recorded 22 goals and 28 assists.

Nieuwendyk won numerous awards over his NHL career including the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1988, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership and contributions to the community in 1995, and the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1999 as the Stanley Cup playoffs most valuable player.