Martin Kariya already has the name. The Blues signed the free agent forward because they think he has the game. Rivermen coach Dave Bassegio can vouch for that.

"I had the pleasure of coaching him 3 years ago in Bridgeport in the American Hockey League. You’ll love his energy, you’ll love his compete level and he’s going to put up some numbers too."

But even if Marty fulfills expectations, to most fans, he’s still Paul Kariya’s younger brother, playing in the shadow of a 7-time NHL all-star. There’s no escape. One month after Marty signed with the Blues, the team announced it had also added the more famous Kariya.

Being the brother of the accomplished NHL star is a double edged sword.

"I get insight to one of the most dynamic players in the game. It would be like how much better of a golfer would you be if you could learn by Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson Being 7 years older and growing up in his shadow it’s very hard to escape the comparisons. We are very similar players, but I don’t think people look at you as an individual when you’re in that situation."

The kid with the famous last name made a name for himself last year when Kariya led.the Finnish Elite League in scoring.

"North American hockey still doesn’t respect Europe enough. I think I have the respect of European hockey and I had a lot of offers for this coming year. People wonder why The players from Europe are so good when they come over, that’s why, it’s because the leagues over there are such high quality."

The Kariya brothers roomed together last month at Blues training camp. It’s Marty’s hope that someday the two might be reunited on a more permanent basis.