Kariya, Morrison joining Vees’ Ring of Honour
Former NHL forwards to be enshrined on May 4 during Western Canada Cup
Retired NHL stars Paul Kariya and Brendan Morrison are the latest players announced for the Penticton Vees’ Ring of Honour that will be unveiled at the upcoming Western Canada Cup.
Both players will be in Penticton to see their names join the original 13 members of the Ring of Honour on Thursday, May 4 during a pre-game ceremony prior to the Penticton Vees’ final round-robin game at the WCC.
Kariya enjoyed a star-studded career which began in Penticton with the Panthers in 1990. The North Vancouver native took the B.C. Hockey League by storm, racking up 92 goals and 244 points in 94 career regular-season games over two seasons. He was named the Interior Division Rookie of the Year and was twice named the BCHL’s Most Valuable Player. After his time in Penticton, Kariya played parts of seasons at the University of Maine, winning the NCAA championship and Hobey Baker Award, as college hockey’s top player, in 1993.
Kariya broke into the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks and went on to play 15 seasons between the Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. In 989 career regular-season games, Kariya amassed 402 goals and 989 points. He was named an NHL all-star five times, and won the Lady Byng Trophy (most sportsmanlike) twice. He was a two-time Olympic medalist, winning gold with Canada in 2002 and silver in 1994.
Morrison played with the Penticton Panthers for one season, in 1992-93, compiling 35 goals and 94 points in 56 games and was named the Interior Division Rookie of the Year.
After leaving Penticton, Morrison spent four seasons at the University of Michigan and won an NCAA national championship in 1996 and the Hobey Baker award in 1997. In his four years at Michigan, Morrison amassed 102 goals and 284 points.
Morrison made his NHL debut in the 1997-98 season with the New Jersey Devils and went on to play 934 career regular season games over 14 seasons with the Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks and finished with 200 goals and 601 points.
“The creation of the Ring of Honour was a huge part of our Western Canada Cup bid,” said WCC chairman David Michaud. “We felt it would add tremendous character to the SOEC, and the additions of Brendan Morrison and Paul Kariya were obvious choices for the WCC. We thank them for coming back and celebrating this big night in person with us.”
Western Canada Cup ticket packages are now on sale for $179 (full package) and $130 (Vees’ only games) and can be purchased by phone at 250-4938337 (ext. 4) or in person at Penticton Vees’ playoff games. The tournament will be held April 29 to May 7 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.