MIGHTY DUCK NOTEBOOK : Thomson’s Slow Recovery Leaves Him Frustrated

Jim Thomson’s slow and still uncertain recovery from reconstructive shoulder surgery has left the former King with far too much time to dote on his 1952 Buick Riviera convertible.

In the last year, it has been painted purple, black and a purple two-tone.

“I’ve painted my car the same number of times I’ve been taken in the expansion draft,” Thomson said with a wry laugh. He’s a three-time loser of sorts: He was drafted by Minnesota in 1991 in the expansion draft that stocked the San Jose Sharks, and later by Ottawa in 1992 and the Ducks in 1993.

Thomson’s luck seemed to have turned last season when he made the Ducks out of training camp. But he injured his left shoulder in the second game of the season, eventually undergoing surgery Dec. 26.

More than eight months later, the anticipated 6 1/2 month rehabilitation is stalled. He’s spending most of camp in street clothes.

“I can’t even shoot,” said Thomson, who appeared in only six games last season. “And if I can’t shoot, I can’t hit or fight.”

Even if his shoulder makes dramatic progress, Thomson is in a tough spot. The Ducks’ camp roster is crowded with wingers, and he would have to fight for one of the final spots. But his shoulder has to come around before he can do any fighting--for a job or otherwise. “It’s just frustrating,” he said.

Duck Notes

Right wing Joe Sacco scored with 1:29 left in the third period of a game-condition scrimmage Thursday at The Pond to give his side a 2-1 victory. It was the first of two intrasquad games for which tickets were distributed to Walt Disney Co. employees and charities. Rookie Paul Kariya and defenseman Bobby Dollas had the other goals . . . Rookie defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky, the second overall pick at the June draft, left the game early with tightness in his groin and is day-to-day. Coach Ron Wilson said Tverdovsky had a slight groin injury a few weeks ago and the move was precautionary . . . Dodger P.A. announcer Mike Carlucci will replace Dennis Packer as the Ducks’ P.A. announcer this season and practiced during the scrimmage . . . Dean Ewen, Todd Ewen’s “little” brother, had his third training camp fight, tangling with tryout Kevin Sawyer for the second time. Wilson discourages training camp fights, but stops short of a ban. Dean Ewen has been involved in every fight during camp. “That’s going to happen,” Wilson said. “Those guys who are battling for jobs are going to be intense.” . . . Garry Valk (recovering from appendectomy) and Shaun Van Allen (sore back) have been skating but have yet to scrimmage. Tim Sweeney and tryout David Matsos sat out because of charley horses.