He played junior hockey for the Saint Jerome Alouettes and the Hamilton Red Wings from 1964 to 1966. Turning pro in the Detroit Red Wings' system in 1966, Niekamp played in the minors until 1970-71. That season he got into 24 games for the Wings. The following season he played in five more games. In 1972-73 he jumped to the Los Angeles Sharks of the World Hockey Association (WHA). After playing there for two years, Niekamp went to the Phoenix Roadrunners where he played for four seasons. He retired in 1978.