Paul Kariya overcame his lack of size to become one of the most prolific point producers of his generation.

At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Kariya used his speed, quick hands and shot to earn 989 points (402 goals, 587 assists) in 989 games over 15 NHL seasons with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues before retiring in 2011. His 931 points (382 goals, 549 assists) in his first 13 seasons (1994-95 through 2007-08) were fifth most in the NHL during that span behind Jaromir Jagr (1,280 points), Joe Sakic (1,065), Mats Sundin (987) and Teemu Selanne (972).

Kariya was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame along with Selanne, his linemate with Anaheim and Colorado, in 2017.

After Kariya helped the University of Maine to the NCAA title and became the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player in 1993, Anaheim selected him No. 4 in the 1993 NHL Draft, making him the first draft pick in team history.

Kariya was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy given to the League's top rookie in 1994-95 after leading the Mighty Ducks (now Anaheim Ducks) with 18 goals and 39 points in 47 games. The following season, he had NHL career highs of 50 goals and 108 points and was voted to the NHL First All-Star Team, the first of three times he received that honor (1996-97 and 1998-99).

Kariya also won the Lady Byng Trophy as the player voted to best combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability in 1995-96 and 1996-97, when he had 99 points (44 goals, 55 assists) and six penalty minutes in 69 games.

Kariya played nine seasons for the Mighty Ducks (1994-2003) and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2003, when they lost to the New Jersey Devils in seven games. That season, he led Anaheim in points for the fifth time with 81 (25 goals, 56 assists) in 82 games.

When Kariya left the Mighty Ducks to sign with the Avalanche as an unrestricted free agent July 3, 2003, he was Anaheim's leader with 606 games played, 300 goals, 369 assists and 669 points.

Kariya, who was born in Vancouver, also starred on the international stage. He helped Canada finish first at the 1993 IIHF World Junior Championship and 1994 IIHF World Championship and win gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, which ended the country's 50-year gold-medal drought in Olympic men's ice hockey. Kariya won a silver medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics and helped Canada finish second at Worlds in 1996.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• WJC-A All-Star Team (1993)
• Hockey East First All-Star Team (1993)
• Hockey East Rookie of the Year (1993)
• Hockey East Player of the Year (1993)
• NCAA East First All-American Team (1993)
• NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (1993)
• Hobey Baker Memorial Award (Top U.S. Collegiate Player) (1993)
• WC-A All-Star Team (1994, 1996)
• Best Forward - WC-A (1994, 1996)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (1995)
• NHL First All-Star Team (1996, 1997, 1999)
• NHL Second All-Star Team (2000, 2003)
• Played in NHL All-Star Game (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
• Signed as a free agent by Colorado, July 3, 2003.
• Signed as a free agent by Nashville, August 5, 2005.
• Signed as a free agent by St. Louis, July 1, 2007.
• Officially announced his retirement, June 29, 2011.