Blues star Paul Kariya is entering the final year of his current contract and hopes the 2009-10 season won't be his last in St. Louis.
Kariya, 34, played in only 11 games last season due to hip injuries. After months of rehab, Kariya will begin a heavy workout regimen this month to gear up for the upcoming campaign.
"I'm very motivated right now to get back on the ice," Kariya told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's been a really long summer and I'm really excited about the prospects of getting back with the team and playing some hockey again. The summer can't end soon enough."
According to the paper, Kariya would like to stay with the Blues beyond this season.
"There's no better place to be in the league right now," he said. "I think we've got the best group of young hockey players in the NHL, and I'm very excited to be a part of it and see where we can take it."
Kariya is set to earn $6 million this coming season.
Files from:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
