Sports • Hockey

Paul Kariya

Paul Kariya is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger known for his speed, scoring ability, and playmaking.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Paul Kariya is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger known for his speed, scoring ability, and playmaking. He played 15 seasons in the NHL for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks/Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early life and amateur career

Kariya was born in Vancouver and developed into a standout junior and college player before joining the NHL. He played for the University of Maine, where he helped win the 1993 NCAA national championship and became the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

NHL career

Selected fourth overall in 1993, Kariya became a top scorer and playmaker with Anaheim and later played for Colorado, Nashville, and St. Louis. He served as captain of the Anaheim team and helped lead the franchise to its first Stanley Cup Final in 2003.

International play

Kariya was a major contributor for Team Canada at multiple tournaments. He won gold at the 1993 World Junior Championship, silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics, gold at the 1994 World Championship, and Olympic gold again in 2002.

Honours and legacy

Kariya received major individual recognition during and after his career, including two Lady Byng Trophies and Hall of Fame induction. His retirement was influenced by concussion issues, and the Anaheim Ducks later retired his number 9.

Key facts

Played 15 NHL seasons from 1995 to 2010 for four teams.
Won the Lady Byng Trophy twice for sportsmanship and gentlemanly play.
Finished his NHL career with 989 points in 989 regular-season games.
Helped Canada win gold at the 1994 World Championship and 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017 and had his number 9 retired by the Anaheim Ducks in 2018.

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Canadian context

Kariya is one of Canada’s notable hockey players, born in Vancouver and a key member of Canadian teams that won international titles, including Olympic gold in 2002 and world championship gold in 1994.[6][8]

Frequently asked questions

What position did Paul Kariya play?

He played left wing and shot left.

Which NHL teams did Paul Kariya play for?

He played for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks/Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues.

What was Paul Kariya known for?

He was known for elite skating speed, scoring, and playmaking, along with sportsmanlike play.

Did Paul Kariya win Olympic gold?

Yes. He won Olympic gold with Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics and silver in 1994.

Is Paul Kariya in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Yes. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017.

References

Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/9002/paul-kariya
Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, position, shooting side, draft position, height, retired status, career totals.
BC Sports Hall of Fame — https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/paul-kariya/
Supports: NHL career overview, captaincy, Stanley Cup Final run, Lady Byng Awards, and international achievements.
The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/paul-kariya
Supports: Career totals, concussions and retirement, Hall of Fame induction, and Ducks jersey retirement.
University of Maine Athletics — https://goblackbears.com/honors/university-of-maine-sports-hall-of-fame/paul-kariya/94
Supports: University of Maine championship, Hobey Baker Award, and college accomplishments.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kariya
Supports: General career chronology including NHL teams and signing history; used only where corroborated by other sources.
Wikipedia (Indonesian) — https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kariya
Supports: Career span across NHL teams and retirement year; used only where corroborated by other sources.