Kariya Is Ready to Begin Practice

Paul Kariya, sidelined by a lower abdominal injury since August, said he will begin practicing with the team Saturday. He is uncertain when he might play his first game of the season, however.

“When I’m skating I don’t think about the injury any more,” said Kariya, who returned to Anaheim on Thursday after spending more than two weeks visiting a specialist and working with a physical therapist in Vancouver, Canada.

“I think that’s the best indication [of a full recovery]. When I was going through my skating drills, I wasn’t even thinking about it, which is a good sign.”

Kariya, a 50-goal scorer last season, worked to build the muscles in his groin and stomach areas.

“I’ve been working pretty hard, doing an hour of weightlifting in the mornings and then spending two hours with the ‘physio,’ ” Kariya said. “It was grueling stuff. I feel 100% better. I think it [going home to Vancouver] was the best thing for me. It was a good healing environment. Mom’s home cooking helped.”