TORONTO – Paul Kariya became the first former Black Bear to be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night, earning his spot in the 2017 class after a 15 year career in the National Hockey League in which he notched 402 goals and 587 assists in 989 games.

Kariya spent the 1992-93 season and 12 games of the 1993-94 season at the University of Maine. During his first season with the Black Bears, Kariya put together arguably the best season in college hockey history, tallying 25 goals and 75 assists for 100 points in 39 games on his way to being named the first-ever freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the top College Hockey player.

"A lot of have asked me through the years how someone from Vancouver wound up going to university in Orono, Maine," Kariya reflected during his HHOF induction speech. "I went there to be a student-athlete and learn from Red Gendron and the late, legendary Shawn Walsh. I went to play with one of the best college hockey teams of all time. But the biggest reason I chose Maine, was Grant Standbrook."

After leading the Black Bears to the 1993 NCAA title, with an incredible 42-1-2 mark, Kariya was selected fourth overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Kariya returned to UMaine for his sophomore season, recording eight goals and 16 assists in his first 12 games, but decided to leave school and compete with the Canadian National Team before joining the Mighty Ducks for the 1994-95 season. Kariya played his first nine years for the Mighty Ducks before a year stint with the Colorado Avalanche and two years with the Nashville Predators before ending his career with three seasons in St. Louis with the Blues.
 
"For 25 years, Grant has been my mentor, strength coach, dietician and was even my driving instructor. His teachings have dictated how I train, what I eat, how I breathe…Grant has had such a profound impact on my life and I will always cherish our friendship."
 
Kariya was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player) in 1997, was a two-time Lady Byng (sportsmanship) Award winner and played in seven NHL All-Star games, garnering first team all-star honors in 1996, 1997 and 1999. He was selected as captain of the Mighty Ducks at age 21 and finished his career with 16 goals and 23 assists in 46 playoff games. Individually, he led his team in scoring in seven of his 15 seasons. He led the Mighty Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002-03 where the series went seven games but Anaheim fell to the New Jersey Devils.
 
Kariya helped lead his native Canada to gold at the 2002 Olympic Games and a silver medal in 1994, while also securing gold medals at the 1993 World Championships and the 1993 World Junior Championships.
 
Kariya joined former players Teemu Selanne, Dave Andreychuck, Mark Recchi, and Danielle Goyette as well as former coach Clare Drake and owner Jeremy Jacobs in the 2017 Hall of Fame class.

-UMaine-