Former Black Bear Kariya Awaits Hall-Of-Fame Voting

  Paul Kariya helped the University of Maine win a National Championship in 1993. Today he could be voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.This is the first year Kariya is eligible to be on the ballot after ending his NHL career three years ago. It will be difficult to make the class as players like Chris Chellios, Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Shanahan are considered locks to be in the 2013 class which will likely consist of no more than four players. In order to be selected a player must be on 75 percent of the ballots. His professional career was slowed as a result of numerous concussions and ended due to post-concussion syndrome.

Kariya's career was a full one that included many notable accomplishments, some of which are listed below.

• NCAA National Championship
• Hockey East Rookie and Player of the Year
• Hobey Baker Award
• Number 9 Retired By UMaine Hockey
• Inducted Into UMaine Hall-of-Fame
• Olympic Gold Medal
• 2 Lady Byng Trophies
• 7 NHL All-Star Appearances
• Played in 2003 Stanley Cup Finals
• Holds 4 Anaheim Ducks Team Records
• Holds 2 Nashville Predator Team Records