Teemu Selänne and Paul Kariya played together for seven seasons and became an iconic duo with the Anaheim Ducks. They also became very good friends, and Selänne fondly recalls just how meticulous Kariya was about his bedtime — in a hilarious memory.
The Anaheim Ducks were still a new team in the NHL when they acquired Teemu Selänne from the Winnipeg Jets. Alongside Paul Kariya, Selänne helped the Ducks establish themselves as a competitive team in the league. The duo even reunited for one season in 2003, playing together for the Colorado Avalanche.
Paul Kariya’s bedtime routine
During their seven seasons together, Selänne and Kariya got to know each other extremely well — so well, in fact, that they even learned each other’s sleeping habits. Selänne shared a funny story about it on the Missin Curfew podcast.
“Every night, he went to bed at ten o’clock. Didn’t matter if it was East Coast time or West Coast time. And I said, ‘It’s seven o’clock in California — not even my kids go to bed this early.’ But he had his routines, routines, routines. He had a wristband on, and I asked about it. He said, ‘One time I was sleeping, and afterward my wrist was sore for a couple of weeks, so I don’t want to take any chances,’” Selänne said on the podcast.
Teemu Selänne hilarious prank
Selänne took note and planned a legendary prank on his teammate.
“We had a one-day trip to Phoenix, so I brought my son’s shin pads. And then, when he was starting to put his wristband on, I put on the shin pads. He said, ‘What are you doing?’ and I said, ‘Well, one time I hurt my knee in my sleep, so I don’t want to take any chances.’ And he said, ‘You son of a b*tch,’ and got so mad at me,” Selänne said.
You can watch the interview below.
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