Kariya on All-Star Team

Paul Kariya, struggling through his most frustrating season, was selected to play for the North American team in the NHL All-Star game Feb. 2 at Staples Center.

Kariya has labored as the Mighty Ducks have wallowed. He has skated on the top line with several different players, which has limited his production. He has 17 goals and 34 points, solid numbers, but off his usual point production. Still, his skills were not overlooked.

“He is certainly one of the best players in the league,” Duck Coach Bryan Murray said. “The puck hasn’t gone in as easily for him as it might have in past years, but he has played well for this team.”

This is Kariya’s sixth All-Star game in the last seven seasons. He missed the 1997-98 game after suffering a concussion.

Duck defenseman Ruslan Salei has been given permission to play in one of three Olympic qualifying games for Belarus.

Salei will play Feb. 11 against France, one of the weaker teams. Belarus plays what may be a deciding game against Switzerland on Feb. 13, but the Ducks face Calgary that night.

Right wing Jeff Friesen sat out Wednesday’s game because of a sprained left ankle. He said he hoped he could play at Edmonton on Friday.

His absence opened a spot for Timo Parssinen, recalled from minor league Cincinnati.

Chris Foster