Hawks Hire Kariya





Steve, Paul and Martin Kariya

So the Portland Winterhawks have hired a former NHLer who starred for the University of Delaware named Kariya. No not Paul Kariya (pictured), the original Mighty Duck, but his younger brother Steve Kariya. Steve had starred for the University of Maine and after going undrafted, had a 10 year professional career, playing last in 2010 in the the Swedish Elite League. Kariya played 65 games in the NHL over 3 years with the Vancouver Canucks. Portland Coach/GM Mike Johnston was an Assistant Coach with the Canucks during this time.

Portland had been looking for another Assistant to help with video scouting and also during practices, since Coach Kyle Gustafson was promoted to help Travis Green behind the bench, following Johnston's suspension.

Steve is the middle Brother of the 3 Kariya's who all played some professional hockey. Paul, the oldest, compiled 989 Pts over a 15 year NHL career that ended in 2010. Martin, the youngest, played as high as the AHL, before playing overseas. His hockey career ended in 2011.

Steve appears to come from a hockey family and should be a good complement to the Coaching staff. Plus getting into the NHL, even with his small stature 5'7" 170 lbs, should help the Winterhawk's bevy of smaller players, get the most of their talent.

Links and News:

-Article about the Hawk's trio of players catching scout's attention.

-Paul Buker's article on the Kariya hiring.

-Saskatoon made it 18 in a row Friday night, clipping Brandon 4-1.

-Michael St. Croix had 4 assists as Edmonton blew out Everett 7-1 (Everett has now lost 14 of 15 going into Sat. night's matchup vs. the Hawks). Curtis Lazar and Mitch Moroz were given 10 minute misconducts in the 3rd period, with the game already in hand.

-Kamloops and Prince George got into a line brawl with under 3 minutes to go in the 4-1 Blazers win. There were a combined 158 penalty minutes in the game. P.G.'s Jari Ericsson received an instigator, a fight and was tossed from the game. There was also a handful of 10 minute misconducts tossed in throughout the game.

-Mike Aviani got the OT winner for the Chiefs, who overtake Tri City for 4th in the West (Tri lost to Seattle at home 3-1). The Am's have a game in hand.

-Former Hawk Ryan Johansen had a beauty of a goal against Chicago to tie the game in the 3rd. Chicago would win in OT to make it 21 games to start the season with at least 1 point.

Ryan Johansen (Winterhawk from 2009-11)