Kariya Still Woozy Off the Ice; Tavares Wants Stars Protected

As the Mighty Ducks brace for the continued absence of Paul Kariya past the NHL Olympic break, club president Tony Tavares blamed the league for failing to safeguard its stars.

Kariya completed a workout Monday without headaches or dizziness for the first time since sustaining a concussion Feb. 1. But Kariya continues to experience symptoms of post-concussion syndrome off the ice, and doctors will not clear him to return until symptoms subside for seven consecutive days, team spokesman Rob Scichili said Tuesday.

Kariya is listed as questionable for the Ducks’ first two games after the Olympic break, Feb. 25 at Vancouver and Feb. 27 at Edmonton. The injury forced Kariya to miss the Ducks’ final two games before the break and forfeit his Olympic spot on Team Canada.

Chicago’s Gary Suter drew a four-game suspension--but no immediate penalty--for the hit that caused the concussion, a cross-check to Kariya’s face.

The NBA attempts to ensure court safety of Michael Jordan wherever possible, Tavares said, and the NHL needs to take similar measures to reduce unwarranted roughness that can keep stars such as Kariya and teammate Teemu Selanne off the ice.

“Watch a game that Jordan’s involved in,” Tavares said. “If you get within sniffing distance, you get called for a foul. We don’t have to go that far. We’re a contact sport. But the NBA does the right thing in protecting its stars.”