Kariya Is a Captain, Not a Cheerleader

When the Mighty Ducks advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs two years ago, they did so with the league’s youngest captain. Paul Kariya was only 22.

Like his slap shot, Kariya believes he can improve in his role as a team leader. Standing up in front of his teammates before Game 2 of the Ducks’ playoff series against Detroit and delivering a pep talk isn’t on his to-do list, however.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said. “I shouldn’t have to at this point. We’re excited about our prospects.”

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Kariya continues to field questions about the obvious comparisons to Wayne Gretzky now that Gretzky has retired. Asked if he wants to be known as the best hockey player in history, Kariya said, “Best? Well, that involves a lot of people’s opinions. I think it’s more important to be the best I can be.”

When it was mentioned that Kariya works as hard as any player to improve his game, he said, “I don’t consider it work. I would work out if I was a lawyer or a dentist. I enjoy it. It makes my body feel good.”

Ah, but could Kariya see himself as a lawyer or a dentist?

“No,” he said with a hearty laugh.

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Duck left wing Jim McKenzie is renowned as one of the NHL’s toughest players. After all, he’s 6 feet 4, 229 pounds and the son of a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman.

So, it was a bit surprising to see him sporting purple polish on his toenails Thursday after practice. Was he doing a bit of cross-dressing, like Dennis Rodman, a reporter wondered.

“It’s not something I normally do,” McKenzie said. “I won’t be coming in here tomorrow with nose rings or other body piercings.”

What gives?

“Maybe it was the ax I took to the side of the head the other night in San Jose [when Shark Andrei Zyuzin slashed him and earned a two-game suspension], but I let my 5-year-old daughter do it,” McKenzie explained.