Blues Paul Kariya has hip surgery

By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Blues left wing Paul Kariya underwent surgery on his left hip, a procedure likely to sideline him the rest of the season.

The surgery was performed Monday in Vail, Colo., and Kariya will stay in Colorado for the time being to begin rehab.

“We haven’t ruled him out, but what’s the sense of rushing something as serious as this?” team president John Davidson said Tuesday. “I think he’ll be back to 110 percent, whether it’s late this season or next season. Probably next season.”

Medical personnel believe Kariya, 34, will make a full recovery. Davidson said the surgery repaired a torn labrum inside the joint along with “some bone work.”

“He’ll be 100 percent a long time before camp,” Davidson said. “He’ll be back to being Paul Kariya that should be better than he has been for years.”

Kariya was injured Nov. 5 in Anaheim when he was hit from behind. An MRI exam had revealed injuries in two spots in the joint area.

Kariya is in the second season of a three-year, $18 million contract.

Two injured players were on the verge of returning from extended absences. Defenseman Jay McKee (broken finger) is expected to play Friday at Vancouver and forward Andy McDonald practiced with the team for the first time and could be back in the lineup next week.