Paul Kariya stopped by the Vees office last Friday morning, prior to his BC Hockey Hall of Fame induction at the SOEC. The former NHL star played two seasons with the Panthers from 1990-1992, posting back-to-back 100 point seasons and was twice named Interior Conference MVP.
Kariya joined the Panthers as a baby-faced 15 year-old, as he wouldn't turn 16 until after the season started. The Vancouver native didn't look out of place, as he put up 45 goals and 112 points in just 54 games in 99-91. as he was named the Interior Conference Rookie of the Year and MVP.
No sophomore slump for the future NHL'er either, as he bettered his rookie season, with 46 goals and 132 points in just 40 games in 1991-1992. Kariya played for the World Junior team in '92, winning a gold medal in Germany.
Kariya would go on to Maine in the fall of 1993, and again he turned heads, this time at the college level. As a freshman, Kariya racked up 25 goals and 75 assists for another 100 season, guiding the Black Bears to an NCAA championship. Kariya was the first ever freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award; handed out to the top player in college hockey.
After parts of two seasons at Maine, Kariya joined the Anaheim Ducks in January of 1995 and went out to play 15 NHL seasons with the Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. Kariya plaed in 989 games in his NHL career, averaging exactly a point per game (402-587-989) between four teams.
I had a chance to speak with Kariya about his playing days in Penticton.
