Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Fischler, known as “The Hockey Maven,” shares his humor and insight with readers every Wednesday.
This week Fischler shares an interview with Hockey Hall of Famer and former Anaheim Ducks forward Paul Kariya. This interview originally appeared in Fischler’s book “Hockey Stars Speak.”
Who inspired you to play hockey?
“When I was a kid, Wayne Gretzky was my biggest idol. I always enjoyed watching the Edmonton Oilers play and Gretzky in particular. For that matter the same went for all good NHL offensive players like Adam Oates, Joe Sakic and Theo Fleury. I liked watching guys who did it all. But I didn’t actually play hockey right away. Before I even touched a hockey stick I went to a power skating and figure skating school and that gave me a good skating base. A year after that I started playing hockey and never stopped although it never came to my mind that hockey would become my livelihood.”
How did you improve yourself as a player?
“My long-range aim was to go to college since education was very important to me and my family. At the time, the best route for me to reach college was first to play in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. It was Tier 2 hockey and I wound up with a team in Penticton, British Columbia for two seasons, 1990-91 and 1991-92. I enjoyed the coach and the people there. It was just what I needed and then I was able to go on with my education at (University of) Maine and continued playing, only now it was on the college hockey level.”
Did you find the adjustment to college hockey very difficult?
“I was very fortunate in that our team in Maine was together for the entire year and jelled as a club. We won the national championship in 1993 and I was named to the Hockey East All-Academic team as a freshman and I also won the Hobey Baker Award (as the top men’s player in NCAA hockey). But I have to say that winning the Hobey took second place for me compared to Maine winning the NCAA title. It was the first national hockey championship that Maine had ever won. Looking back, I considered that the pinnacle of the season over any awards I may have won.”
What are your thoughts about the Hobey Baker Award?
“As far as the Hobey is concerned, of course, I’m pleased to have won it but — when I think back to that season — I recall that there were other guys on my team who were much more deserving than I was. Plus, I had other good things happen to me. Speaking of highlights, representing my country (Canada) during the Winter Olympics at Lillehammer is another one that is right up there among my special thrills. Playing in the Winter Games was something I always wanted. to do when I was growing up.”
What motivated you the most in your career?
“People used to tell me, ‘You’re too small,’ or ‘You’re not skilled enough to play in the NHL.’ But they did say that I had enough good speed to play in the Olympics. With that in mind, I first set the Olympics as my first goal and I was lucky how it worked out with the Games coming up in my off year. a great time although we (Canada) lost to Sweden in the finals on penalty shots.”
What do you remember about being drafted (No. 4 in the 1993 NHL Draft) by Anaheim?
“Before the draft took place I was very excited because I knew going in that I was going to be selected in the top five. With that in mind, I looked at all the teams which were picking early and, for some reason, Anahem popped out at me. I figured that since the Walt Disney Corporation owned the Mighty Ducks, the club would have the background and the organization to go far. I was right. It turned out to be a first-class organization willing to make big moves. One of those moves was Anaheim getting a world-class performer like Teemu Selanne. That was a turning point move for the franchise.”
Describe the challenges you faced as an NHL rookie?
“For starters, I found that the big-leaguers were bigger, stronger and faster players. Everything — from shooting to playmaking — took place at a higher level. Then there was the matter of scheduling. NHL teams play many more games than We did in college and there was a ton more travel, especially since the Ducks are based in California.”
Your first full NHL season was 1995-96; what do you remember about it?
“The NHL All-Star Game was pretty special. What I remember most about it was that one player in particular caught my attention and that was Teemu Selanne. I liked everything about the way he played the game. Furthermore, the thought came to me mind — something like ‘wouldn’t it be nice if he was on our team.’ When I got back to Anaheim, I mentioned that to our general manager, Jack Ferreira. Of course, I didn’t think that anything would come of my conversation with Jack, but I did plant a seed in his mind.”
What happened?
“Frankly, I didn’t think that anything would come of it on account of I was just talking off the cuff. What impressed me — and what I told Ferreira — was what a great guy Teemu was, just humble and down to earth for a superstar. Also, I was impressed with the way he related to young players. He was an upbeat fellow all around. To my great surprise Jack swung a deal and Selanne became my teammate and linemate in February 1996. The third man on our line was Shaun Van Allen.”
What did Selanne do for you and the Ducks as a whole?
“After Teemu arrived we began moving the puck a lot better and also simplified things. The opposition put their checking line on us and eventually the coaches separated us. That opened up the ice for both me and Teemu. The point is that getting Teemu was a great trade for us and everyone in the Ducks dressing room thought so as well. One thing is certain, having Selanne in our lineup made the next few years really exciting. We both grew together and learned about each other’s plays. Granted, that we weren’t a Stanley Cup winner although in 2003 we took the Devils all the way to the seventh game of the final round. That and the nine years I spent playing for the Ducks made me glad that Anaheim was my first NHL team when I was drafted. I feel fortunate to have helped the team become a solid NHL franchise.”
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