It was obvious from an early age that Paul Kariya was destined for big things. As a college hockey player, he was part of the University of Maine squad that won the 1993 NCAA championship; along the way, he also set a new school record with 100 points during the season. Those were certainly promising credentials, and it was no surprise to anyone that he was one of the first selections at the 1993 NHL Draft, with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (later the Anaheim Ducks) picking him 4th overall. Prior to turning pro, Kariya played on the silver medal-winning Team Canada squad at the 1994 Olympics.
Kariya hit the ice as a pro for the first time in the strike-shortened 1994-95 NHL season, when only 48 games were played. He racked up 39 points during his debut season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. In these early years, Kariya’s advanced rink smarts earned comparisons with Wayne Gretzky, and he also gained recognition for his amazing speed.
He became team captain starting with the 1996-97 season, holding that role through the 2002-03 schedule. During his initial season as captain, he managed to get the Mighty Ducks into the playoffs for the first time ever. However, injuries—concussions, specifically—began to plague the Mighty Ducks’ enterprising captain; these would eventually lead to his retirement in 2011. He led the Mighty Ducks to the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, but the New Jersey Devils managed a 3-0 victory in game seven to claim hockey’s premier honor.
Kariya concluded his career with brief stints with the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.
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