Different Pond for Unsigned Kariya

To find the Mighty Absent Duck, you had to drive halfway across town Monday, to a set of rinks near the University of Calgary.

Through the entrance. Past the Canadian women’s national team’s practice. Down a flight of stairs, through another set of doors and into a second, smaller rink.

There’s Paul Kariya, all right.

No. 20 in black.

Team Canada logo on his jersey.

Two hours later, after his first grueling practice with the Canadian national team, Kariya sounded upbeat and hopeful.

But he also refused to say why the contract stalemate with the Ducks, now in its seventh month, has not been resolved. He would not supply details on the negotiations. Nor would he say whether he believes he will play for the Ducks this season.

“My personal focus has shifted,” Kariya said. “The Olympics are only 2 1/2 months away, and I’ve got to be in the best possible shape I can be. Had there not been the Olympics, there would be nothing to look forward to.

“I’ve told this story many times. But growing up, I always said the Olympics come first and the NHL comes second. The 1994 Olympics were my greatest thrill.

“I’d like to play there [in Anaheim], but . . . it’s hard. It’s been a nightmare at times. I’m trying to live my life day to day now.”

Monday meant the start of his training for the Olympics in Nagano, Japan, which begin Feb. 7. Kariya, one of 23 NHL players selected Saturday to represent Canada, had been skating alone at a rink near his parents’ home in North Vancouver.

He certainly hasn’t forgotten the Ducks. Kariya speaks almost daily with Teemu Selanne. He also lunched with the players and Coach Pierre Page when the Ducks played at Vancouver last month.

“I feel a responsibility to my teammates, first and foremost,” Kariya said. “I’m disappointed I’m not helping them out. I connect well with Teemu. I miss him. I feel sorry for him. He’s played so hard this season. Everyone’s got to respect what he’s done this year. He’s had to fight through all the checks and all the holding.”

Kariya could ease Selanne’s burden by agreeing to the Ducks’ $49-million, seven-year offer and joining his teammate to re-form the league’s top scoring combination. Selanne and Kariya finished second and third in scoring last season.

But it’s believed Kariya wants a shorter contract, perhaps two or three seasons. The Ducks want to sign him for at least five.

“In the simplest terms, we haven’t been able to come to an agreement,” Kariya said. “We can’t agree what I’m worth. We’re trying to get a deal, but it’s hard. There’s no animosity. There’s no hard feelings.”

And no deal.

So for the next nine days, Kariya will arrive at Father David Bauer Arena at 7 a.m. to warm up on a stationary bicycle. He will practice for two hours, break for lunch, then lift weights in the afternoon.

After a few days off to take care of a personal matter at his parents’ home, he plans to join the Canadian national team for two tournaments in Switzerland--the Swiss Cup Dec. 19-21 and the Spengler Cup Dec. 26-31.

In many ways, Canadian national team Coach Andy Murray believes Kariya will be in better shape for the Olympics than if he were playing for the Ducks.

“Paul could practice for two weeks in the NHL and it wouldn’t be the same as it will be here,” said Murray, who will be one of Marc Crawford’s assistants on the Canadian Olympic team.

In the end, Murray said, Kariya’s status as an unsigned free agent did not figure in the decision to pick him for the Olympic team.

“The only criteria was that you had to have a Canadian passport and you had to be a good player,” Murray said. “He has both.”

There was one other requirement. The selection committee, which included Murray, wanted Kariya to play some games to hone his skills. If he wasn’t signed by the Ducks by Dec. 1, they wanted him to join the Canadian national team.

And so there was Kariya, practicing Monday morning with a group of virtual unknowns who will give way to the NHL players when the Olympics start.

Well, actually there was at least one familiar face.

Pat Conacher, 38, a former King who served as a commentator on Duck radio broadcasts last season and now lives in Calgary, is playing with the Canadian national team.

“Just when you think you’ve seen it all,” Conacher said. “Paul Kariya and the radio color guy on the ice together. These young players are going to be chasing Paul around. Definitely, Paul Kariya will get a good workout. I think it’s really going to help him to play games overseas. I don’t care what anyone says, you’ve got to play games in order to get into good shape.”

* REWARD: Pat LaFontaine has recovered from post-concussion syndrome well enough to land a berth on the U.S. Olympic hockey team. C3

* NHL/HELENE ELLIOTT: The U.S. made some additions to its Olympic team, but the absence of Mark Messier could mean a lack of leadership. C3