‘94 WINTER OLYMPICS / LILLEHAMMER : NOTEBOOK

Kariya, the Mighty Ducks’ first draft pick and fourth overall last June, said he hadn’t been worried about scoring a goal here and so felt no special relief after getting his first Olympic goal Saturday.

“I’m not a goal scorer, I’m a passer,” he said. “But I did feel good today. I had a long talk with Coach (Tom) Renney today before the game and I felt like I was into the game more, that I had legs.”

Said U.S. goalie Garth Snow, Kariya’s teammate at the University of Maine: “I’m not buying into that attitude that he’s struggling. He’s one of the best players in the world.”

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Ferreira, who has seen Kariya play twice this week, believes that his prize draft pick will return to school after the Games rather than sign with the Ducks.

“We sent one proposal to the family and they reviewed it with their adviser and decided not to accept it,” Ferreira said. “It’s really frustrating. You’re negotiating with yourself because they can’t send us a proposal (in order to preserve Kariya’s NCAA eligibility). I’ve got an idea what they want, and we’re a long way from that. We’re not crying poor, but it’s not right. We don’t think he deserves what he’s asking for.”

Kariya’s asking price could climb if he does well, but that price is holding steady for now. “I’m seeing things here he’s not getting away with that he’s used to getting away with,” Ferreira said. “This is a step up from the college level and the NHL is yet another step....The size thing won’t be a problem because he’s so quick and clever. He’ll adjust.”