Kariya Pulls Out of Games as Injury Symptoms Persist

Paul Kariya ran out of time in his quest to return to the Olympic stage, where he dazzled the hockey world four years ago in a silver-medal performance for Canada.

Plagued by symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, the Mighty Duck left wing told Canadian hockey officials Thursday he has not progressed enough in the past few days to compete in the Games. Bob Clarke, Canada’s general manager, reluctantly dropped Kariya from the team’s 23-man roster and replaced him with Montreal Canadien right wing Mark Recchi. Canada begins play Friday against Belarus at Big Hat.

“I’m greatly disappointed that this injury is prohibiting me from playing in the Olympic games,” Kariya said in a statement. “Representing my country is the greatest honor anyone could have and I wish I was healthy enough to compete. My main priorities are now to get better and prepare for the remainder for the NHL season.”

Kariya, who suffered his fourth concussion in four years when he was cross-checked by Chicago defenseman Gary Suter on Feb. 1, is still experiencing dizziness and cannot skate for more than a few minutes without feeling ill. The Ducks’ doctor, Craig Milhouse, said earlier this week Kariya would have to be free of symptoms for five to seven days before the club would permit him to skate, much less to travel.

“That’s going to be sad. That’s brutal. What a shame he’s not going to be here,” said Kariya’s linemate and close friend Teemu Selanne, who is playing for Finland. “I know he wanted to play, and on this ice surface he could have done so well.”

Said Duck goaltender Guy Hebert, a member of the U.S. team: “It’s too bad. You hate to see him miss out on an opportunity like this. But the important thing is that he’s nice and healthy when we get back to playing NHL games.”

Rob Scichili, a spokesman for the Ducks, said the concussion is not believed to be career-threatening. However, he said no timetable can be established for Kariya’s return to the Ducks’ lineup until Kariya--who missed the Ducks’ last two games before the Olympic break--is completely free of symptoms. NHL teams resume play Feb. 25.

Kariya, 23, was expected to excel on the large international ice surface, which is well-suited to his speed and gives him more room to elude the checkers who constantly hook and hold him in NHL games. Canada, seeking its first gold medal since 1952--and hoping to rebound from a loss to the U.S. in the World Cup of Hockey in 1996--had been counting on Kariya to provide the scoring punch and youth it lacked in the World Cup. He had 17 goals and 31 points in 22 games with the Ducks.

Instead of the finesse Kariya could have provided, Canada will have to rely on an older corps of forwards that is dominated by grinders.

Clarke was willing to hold a spot for him even if Kariya couldn’t play until the Olympic quarterfinals, which will be played next Wednesday. Those hopes were dashed Thursday morning here, when Kariya told Clarke his condition hadn’t improved significantly in the past few days.

“The doctors said he cannot play,” Clarke said. “Paul skated for about 10 minutes [Wednesday in California] and felt just horrible, so obviously he can’t play. The doctors wouldn’t allow it even if he wanted to.”

This is the second major international tournament Kariya will miss--and the second time he will disappoint his many fans in Japan, his grandparents’ native country. Kariya missed the World Cup because of an abdominal injury and missed the Ducks’ season-opening games in Tokyo last October because he had not yet signed a new contract.

“He said it was the worst day of his life,” Clarke said. “He apologized to his teammates for being unable to compete. Obviously, it’s not his fault. He wanted to play so desperately.”

Kariya is being re-evaluated daily and will remain in Anaheim to rest.

“Hopefully he’s going to be OK, because with concussions you have to be really careful,” said Duck right wing Tomas Sandstrom, who will play for Sweden. “He’s still young and you don’t like to see him having all these concussions and taking so much time to recover.”

Recchi was expected to sit out Canada’s opener but might be able to play in its second game, Sunday against Sweden.