Kariya Sidelined for World Cup

Paul Kariya of the Mighty Ducks said Thursday a potentially serious injury to the area where his stomach muscles attach to his pubic bone will sideline him for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

Osteitis pubis, the technical name for the injury, is more common among soccer players. His lower stomach area is inflamed and painful to the touch, Kariya said.

Rest and anti-inflammatory drugs are the recommended treatment.

Kariya, a 50-goal scorer for the Ducks last season, figured to be one of the standouts of a Canadian World Cup team that includes Eric Lindros of Philadelphia and Wayne Gretzky of the New York Rangers.

Canada’s training camp for the World Cup begins next week, its first exhibition game is Aug. 21 at San Jose and its first tournament game is Aug. 29 against Russia at Vancouver.

The Ducks open training camp Sept. 7 and begin the season Oct. 5 at Toronto.

“I’m sure I won’t be ready to start training camp,” Kariya said. “Right now, I’m shooting to start the season on time. It can be chronic if it’s not taken care of. I don’t want to be 75%, struggling to get through this thing.”

A doctor in Kariya’s hometown of Vancouver said the injury happened when he began to favor one foot after blocking a shot with the other foot in a late-season game against Dallas.

“After the foot injury, I put too much stress on one leg and that put too much stress on that area,” Kariya said.

Believing he was suffering only from a sore stomach muscle, Kariya continued his summer workouts.

“I was being way too aggressive,” he said. “I wasn’t going to let a stomach injury stop me and I’m paying the price for it now.”

In other news, the Ducks signed defenseman Jason Marshall to a three-year contract.

Marshall played in 24 games for the Ducks after he was recalled Feb. 20 from their minor league affiliate at Baltimore. Marshall had one assist and 42 penalty minutes.

David Karpa, J.F. Jomphe and Roman Oksiuta remain unsigned.