Kariya Expected to Miss Canada’s Olympic Opener

Mighty Duck left wing Paul Kariya, still recovering from the concussion he suffered Feb. 1, was examined again Monday in California and did not receive clearance to join the Canadian Olympic team in Nagano, dashing Canadian hockey officials’ hopes he would fly to Japan Tuesday to begin practicing.

Canada begins final-round play on Friday against the winner of preliminary Group A. However, the slow pace of Kariya’s recovery from his fourth concussion in four years and the length of the journey to Nagano make it likely he will miss that game as well as Canada’s second game, against Sweden, on Saturday. Team officials have until two hours before the first game to submit their roster.

“I can say pretty much with certainty he is not leaving [Tuesday],” Duck spokesman Rob Scichili said. “He still has symptoms and simply will not be cleared until he’s 100%. The doctor told me they’re still working him out in different areas, and until he’s 100% clear of symptoms, he won’t go.”

Kariya’s roster spot will remain open, Canadian team officials said, but Mark Recchi of the Montreal Canadiens has been told to remain on standby in case Kariya can’t play. Recchi did not make the trip to Japan with the Canadian team, which spent Monday night in Tokyo and arrived in Nagano by train Tuesday morning to a mob of fans and reporters at Nagano City Station.

Scichili said Kariya is being examined daily by team doctor Craig Milhouse and has been allowed to exercise moderately, such as riding an exercise bike. Any increase in activity will depend on how Kariya feels.