Anaheim Ducks: Top 5 All-Time

Paul Kariya

May 12, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; General view of the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo and the words “Let

He was the face of the original Mighty Ducks of Anaheim team and was their top prospect going into the 1993 draft. Kariya would end going fourth overall to the Ducks.

Before officially joining the Ducks, Kariya would play on the Canadian national team in the 1994 olympic games in Norway.

Kariya would eventually sign a 3 year, $6.5 million deal with Anaheim.

Kariya’s presence on the Ducks immediately impacted the fan base as his first practice drew about 9,000 fans to come out and spectate.

In his first exhibition game, more than 16,000 fans packed the then Arrowhead Pond to watch him play. However, due to the NHL lockout of 1994, Kariya wouldn’t make his debut until January of 1995.

Playing in only 47 games that season, he still finished with a team-leading 18 goals and 39 assists. The next season, Kariya would represent the Ducks at the 1996 All-star game.

The following years, Kariya would skate along other Ducks fan favorite Teamu Selanne until Selanne got dealt to the San Jose Sharks in 2001.

The most impactful moment in Kariya’s career came in game 6 of the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup finals.

The Ducks were sitting with a 3-1 lead in the 2nd period, when out of the blue, Kariya was seen lying motionless on the ice after taking a monstrous hit from New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Stevens.

Kariya was able to get up, but needed help getting to the locker room.

However, several minutes later, he reappeared on the bench and would eventually reenter the game.

Upon so, he would send a snapshot past goaltender Martin Brodeur that send the Arrowhead Pond crowd into a frenzy.

Karina would eventually sign with the Colorado Avalanche the following season, but, his impact in Anaheim will always be in the memories of Ducks fans.

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