Mighty Ducks Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne stood on the ice, laughing loudly as they passed the puck in practice.

About an hour later, they joked in front of a TV camera in what looked like a well-rehearsed comedy team. It was if they had awakened and realized that last season was just a bad dream.

The anguish and uncertainty, the headaches and fatigue from post-concussion syndrome seem to be far behind Kariya. And that's a huge relief to his teammates.

Kariya will make another step in his comeback tonight against the Colorado Avalanche when he plays his second game of the exhibition season. He didn't play Tuesday night in the Ducks' 8-3 loss at the Kings.

Kariya hasn't had any post-concussion symptoms since late April and looks confident and relaxed on the ice. Of course, he hasn't yet been tested in a regular-season game with the increase in intensity.

Six months ago, Kariya wondered if he'd ever play again. Now he is thrilled to rejoin the Ducks and eager to help them put last season behind them.

"It's awesome. This is my family here," Kariya said. "It's good just to be in the dressing room and talking to the guys and having some fun. It's the camaraderie you miss."

Having Kariya in the dressing room and on the ice certainly should provide a boost.

"It's almost like he was never gone," said Ducks center Steve Rucchin, who plays on the first line with Kariya. "It's definitely going to do a lot for the psyche of the team."

While there are many reasons for the Ducks' demise last season -- ranging from sub-par performances from veteran forwards to changing systems and lineups -- many agree that Kariya's absence was a significant factor.

Kariya missed the first 2 ½ months during a contract dispute. After scoring 31 points in 22 games, he was cross-checked in the jaw by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Gary Suter on Feb. 1.

As the headaches, nausea and dizziness persisted, Kariya's season slipped away. So did that of the Ducks.

The day after the season ended in April, Kariya took the advice of Philadelphia's Eric Lindros and received acupuncture treatment. A month after he began the treatments, Kariya's symptoms were gone.

"I've read a lot about it," Kariya said. "When the brain has got a lot of pressure built up, that (acupuncture) releases it and gets the blood flowing."

Kariya said he already took a few solid hits in his first exhibition game, Sunday against Calgary. But will Kariya and the Ducks cringe when he endures his first real collision of the season?

"I don't think so. I think he feels pretty confident," Rucchin said. "He's played hockey his whole life. It (physical contact) is almost second nature. And he's been feeling good for a long time."

It's not that Kariya, who has had four concussions, doesn't realize the risks. Doctors have told him that a player who has had one concussion is six times more likely to suffer another.

There have been other high-profile players who have had their careers ended by concussions. Pat LaFontaine followed the advice of Dr. James Kelly, a neurologist in Chicago, and retired this summer after sustaining his sixth career concussion in March.

"You can't help but worry about those things (retirement) . . . when an injury takes that long to heal, especially when it's the brain," Kariya said. "(But) even Dr. Kelly said there are no guidelines. . . . There is not enough information. Every person's brain takes a blow differently."

Kariya, who was cleared to play by Kelly this summer, is wearing a mouthpiece and a helmet that has better protective padding and a more secure chin strap.

And the NHL has vowed to crack down on infractions on the ice that lead to serious injuries, particularly blows to the head.

"Obviously I've got to protect myself. I think I've got to get my stick up," Kariya joked this summer. "I don't think the Lady Byng (Trophy for gentlemanly play) is going to help me anymore. I've got to rack up some penalty minutes."

Kariya likely won't need to, however. The Ducks traded for enforcer Stu Grimson and also added Jim McKenzie.

Now Kariya will look to regain the magic with Selanne that helped them lead the Ducks into the second round of the playoffs in 1997.

"Even if he is a bit rusty, it's still hard to tell," Rucchin said. "He is one of the best hockey players in the world. I wish I could be that rusty."

NOTES -- Rob Blake made his exhibition debut for the Kings, scoring on the power play to key the rout before 5,203 at the Forum. Luc Robitaille scored three goals and had two assists . . . Patrick Lalime, who is expected to be Guy Hebert's backup this season for the Ducks, gave up five goals in the second period . . . The game was marred by 32 penalties, including five fights, for 114 minutes.

Published 9/23/1998