It seems so long ago that Anaheim Ducks legend Paul Kariya was a young, bright-eyed prospect coming into an expansion franchise.
In this blast from the past in the NHL Archive, Robyn Norwood takes us through the Ducks' prospect pool in 1994, headlined by Kariya.
From the Archive: ALL EYES LOOKING TO KARIYA:
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim would like their No. 1 prospect to be signed, sealed and in an NHL uniform in March.
Whether that happens is all up to Paul Kariya, the fourth overall pick at the June draft.
While many players from the top of the 1993 draft class have jumped to the NHL, Kariya chose to return to the University of Maine for a semester before playing for Team Canada in the Olympics, something the Ducks encouraged.
But they want him in Anaheim as soon as possible after that to bolster a team thin on offense.
The players likely to help the Ducks soonest-Kariya and right winger Valeri Karpov-are still unsigned. And with only one draft behind them, the Ducks’ list of talent drops off quickly.
But with the No. 2 pick overall in the June draft, general manager Jack Ferreira and assistant GM Pierre Gauthier ought to be able to add another premier talent shortly as the Ducks continue to build their organization.
Here are the top five prospects in order:
Paul Kariya: Some teams questioned Kariya’s size and three of them passed on skilled playmaker, but Ferreira and Gauthier were thrilled to take him.
They hope to build their franchise around the clean-cut, creative left winger who fits the Disney entertainment image to a T.
With bursts of speed and supreme passing skills, Kariya will be the Ducks’ most skilled player on arrival, perhaps with the exception of Anatoli Semenov.
Ferreira saw Kariya playing with Team Canada during its preOlympic tour, centering Petr Nedved and Chris Kontos.
His only disappointment?
“I don’t think he handled the puck as much because of who he was playing with,” Ferreira said.
Kariya hasn’t decided when he’ll turn pro. When will Ferreira start negotiations? “Any time they want.”
Acquired: 1993 entry draft, fourth overall.
Valeri Karpov: The 22-year-old European was supposed to have immediate impact for the first-year team. But Anaheim was unable to reach a financial agreement with Karpov.
Though he would have been recovering from shoulder surgery at the start of camp, his signing the team much more offensive depth.
A broken wrist sustained during his team’s North American tour set him back, but the Ducks are counting on him next year.
Acquired: 1993 entry draft, 56th overall.
Nikolai Tsulygin: When Anaheim picked him in the second round in June, the 6-foot-3 defenseman didn’t yet weigh 200 pounds and didn’t speak a word English.
He’s still at least a year away from the NHL, but the pounds and words will come. He’s described as a rangy defenseman who needs to mature, but Gauthier said he’s progressing very well. “He’s not as raw anymore,” Gauthier said. “He’s half-cooked now.”
Acquired: 1993 entry draft, 30th overall.
Scott Chartier: After one season at Western Michigan, Chartier, 22, was a sought-after free agent because of his size, defensive skills and big shot.
But a severe ankle sprain early in training camp kept him out of competition and a recurrence of the injury has kept him out of more than half of the San Diego Gulls’ games.
“It has really set him back,” Ferreira said. “We’d hoped he’d be challenging for a spot (in Anaheim) by Christmas.”
Acquired: Signed as free agent, July 30, 1993.
Scott McKay: Another free-agent pickup, McKay played as an overage junior with the London Knights in the Ontario League last season and has played well with San Diego in the International League.
“McKay is a good solid player who’s at his best when he’s playing physical,” Ferreira said.
Acquired: Signed as a free agent, Aug. 2, 1993.
ON THE HORIZON
1. Paul Kariya, C, Canadian Olympic, 19,5-10,160, 19-4-27-31-2.
2. Valeri Karpov, RW, Chelyabinsk (Rus.), 22,5-10, 176,15-8-5-13-N/A,
3. Nikolai Tsulygin, D, Salavat Ufa (Rus.), 18,6-3,195,27-1-5-6-N/A.
4. Scott Chartier, D, San Diego (IHL), 22,6-1, 200, 16-0-0-0-31.
5. Scott McKay, C, San Diego (IHL), 22,5-11,200, 39-6-4-10-18.
6. Mike Maneluk, RW, Brandon (WHL), 20, 6-0, 188, 50-41-39-80-96. Free-agent signee will get chance to show he can score in NHL next year.
7. Mikhail Shtalenkov, G, San Diego (IHL), 28, 6-2, 180, 9-7-2, 3.40. Waiting in wings for chance should Guy Hebert or Ron Tugnutt falter.
8. Anatoli Fedotov, D, San Diego (IHL), 27, 5-11, 178, 36-8-5-13-19. Exciting player to watch, but tends to do too much on-ice gambling.
9. Antti Aalto. C, TPS Turku (Fin.), 18, 6-2, 185, 26-3-7-10-14. Good raw talent has put him in Elite League at 18. Still two or three years from NHL. 10. Denny Lambert, LW, San Diego (IHL), 24, 5-H, 200, 42-4-6-10-167. Power forward who can play it tough. Another free agent signing.
THE BEST
Skater: Paul Kariya Stickhandler: Paul Kariya Shot: Scott Chartier Bodychecker: Scott McKay Hockey Sense: Paul Kariya ■