Steve Kariya
Vancouver 49° 15' 39.14" N, 123° 6' 50.23" W Person Sports
Steven Tetsuo Kariya (born December 22, 1977) is a professional ice hockey forward, currently playing for JYP in SM-liiga. He is one of Paul Kariya's younger brothers.
Playing career[edit]
Like Paul, Steve led the University of Maine Black Bears to the NCAA title (in 1999); unlike Paul, however, he has had a rocky career[citation needed] . Having played several seasons of pro hockey in North America, including for the Vancouver Canucks, Kariya went to the Finnish SM-liiga after the 2003–04 season.
During the 2004–05 season, he played for Ilves in the Finnish SM-liiga. He led the league in scoring during the regular season, earning the Veli-Pekka Ketola trophy. Kariya spent the following season with the Blues, then spent two years with Frölunda HC in Sweden before returning to Finland and HPK in 2008.
Kariya's sister Noriko is a professional boxer, and his brother Martin is also a professional hockey player. Steve and Martin Kariya are the first and only brothers to have won the Veli-Pekka Ketola trophy.
Awards[edit]
- NCAA Hockey East All-Rookie in 1996.
- Awarded the NCAA Hockey East Sportsmanship Award in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
- Named to the NCAA All-America First Team in 1999.
- Named to the NCAA All-Star Team Hockey East in 1999.
- NCAA Champion with University of Maine in 1999.
- Awarded the Veli-Pekka Ketola trophy (Most points in SM-liiga) in 2005.