Wednesday, December 5, 2001
Super Mario's hip squarely the issue
By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun
Mario Lemieux's return remains a guessing game.
A TSN report, quoting unnamed sources, said yesterday that Lemieux is "highly unlikely" to be playing until after Christmas and that his participation for Team Canada at the Olympics in mid-February is in doubt.
Pittsburgh media have reported that Lemieux's recovery from a hip injury is indefinite, but this is the first suggestion of any firm date.
One school of thought says Lemieux might take a long break, then use the Olympics as a springboard back to the National Hockey League regular schedule.
However, there is a campaign in Pittsburgh to have him skip the Olympics in favour of devoting himself to the Penguins. Lemieux, who has not played since Nov. 14, is captain of Team Canada.
"His health is very important, his country is very important," Maple Leafs goaltender and potential Team Canada teammate Curtis Joseph said yesterday before the Lemieux-less Penguins played Toronto.
"Let's hope the health issue is not a concern at the time of the Olympics."
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
