Paul Kariya
Canadian winger, Hobey Baker winner, Hall of Fame inductee.
Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya (born October 16, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played 15 NHL seasons from 1995 to 2010. Known for his speed, intelligence, and sharp on-ice vision, he suited up for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in June 2017.
Kariya grew up in Vancouver, the son of teachers Sharon and Tetsuhiko (T.K.) Kariya. His father, a Japanese-Canadian born in a WWII internment camp in Greenwood, British Columbia, was a math teacher and former Canadian national rugby player. His mother is of Scottish-Canadian descent. Three of his siblings—brothers Steve and Martin, and sister Noriko—also played professional sports; Noriko later switched from hockey to boxing. As a teen, Kariya worked a summer construction job. At 16, he moved to Penticton, British Columbia, to play Junior A hockey, where he also worked at a clothing store owned by his coach and general manager.
Kariya spent two seasons with the Penticton Panthers in the BCJHL. In 1990–91, he posted 45 goals and 112 points in 54 games, earning the Vern Dye Trophy as the Interior Conference’s MVP and the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. The next season, he improved to 46 goals and 132 points in 40 games, won a second straight Vern Dye Trophy, and was named Canadian Junior A Player of the Year. In November 1991, he committed to the University of Maine, turning down offers from Boston University, Harvard, and several other NCAA schools, as well as major junior teams in the WHL (his rights originally belonged to the Victoria Cougars before being traded to the Tri-City Americans).
At Maine in 1992–93, Kariya recorded 100 points (25 goals, 75 assists) in 39 games. He was named Hockey East’s Rookie and Player of the Year—only the second player to win both in the same season after Brian Leetch—and earned a spot on the Hockey East First All-Star Team alongside teammates Jim Montgomery, Chris Imes, and Mike Dunham. He became the first freshman ever to win the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player. Head coach Shawn Walsh called him one of the top three college players of all time. The Black Bears finished 42–1–2, winning the Lamoriello Trophy and the NCAA championship.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1974-10-16
- Birth Place
- North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 10
- Weight Lb
- 185
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim / Colorado Avalanche / Nashville Predators / St. Louis Blues
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Draft
- 4th overall
- Draft Year
- 1993
- Draft Team
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kariya played two seasons of Junior A with the Penticton Panthers, where he was named Canadian Junior A Player of the Year in 1992. He then joined the University of Maine's Black Bears, and in his freshman year received the Hobey Baker Award, becoming the first freshman to earn that distinction. He and fellow Hobey Baker finalist Jim Montgomery led the Black Bears to the 1993 NCAA title. Selected fourth overall in the 1993 NHL entry draft by the Mighty Ducks, he joined the team in 1995 and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. During his nine-year tenure with Anaheim, he formed an effective duo with Teemu Selänne, earned three NHL first All-Star team distinctions, and finished as runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1997. He won back-to-back Lady Byng trophies in 1996 and 1997. Serving as captain for seven seasons, he led the Mighty Ducks to the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the New Jersey Devils in seven games. After a single-season stint with the Avalanche, he signed with the Predators in August 2005, setting a team record for points in a single season in 2005–06 (since broken). He finished his career with three seasons for the Blues. Internationally, Kariya won gold at the 1993 World Junior Championships, silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics, gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and gold and silver at the 1994 and 1996 World Championships, respectively. He struggled with concussions throughout his NHL career, which forced his retirement in June 2011 after sitting out the 2010–11 season due to post-concussion syndrome.
Reader's Guide
Paul Kariya's significance lies in his exceptional offensive skill, sportsmanship, and leadership. He was a speedy and intelligent winger with exceptional vision, earning three NHL first All-Star team distinctions and finishing as runner-up for the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1997. His back-to-back Lady Byng trophies in 1996 and 1997 recognized his skillful play and exemplary sportsmanship. As captain for seven seasons, he led the Mighty Ducks to the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals. His international career included gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics and silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics, as well as gold and silver at the World Championships. His legacy is also marked by his struggle with concussions, which ended his career. He was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in June 2017, and his number 9 was retired by the Ducks on October 21, 2018.
Did You Know?
- Kariya was the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award.
- His father, Tetsuhiko, was a Japanese-Canadian born in a World War II internment camp.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 2 1-24
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