Mighty Duck PAUL KARIYA is profiled in today's L.A. TIMES.
Kariya on being compared to WAYNE GRETZKY: "To be mentioned in
the same breath as Wayne Gretzky is a tremendous honor, but to me
Wayne Gretzky is untouchable.  Incomparable.  He should be left
alone on a pedestal" (L.A. TIMES, 2/8)....IHL Commissioner BOB
UFER's passion for hockey is featured in today's USA TODAY.
Ufer, who shows off his skating abilities by skating out and
stickhandling the puck to center ice during ceremonial faceoffs:
"It's a little more interesting than seeing a guy in a suit stand
on a red carpet" (USA TODAY, 2/8)....Blackhawks owner WILLIAM
WIRTZ was admitted to a suburban Chicago hospital yesterday for
surgery to remove a blood clot (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/8). SHAQUILLE
O'NEAL rapped with teammate DENNIS SCOTT Monday night at
Orlando's Planet Hollywood in a warmup for this weekend's
performance at the NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix (USA TODAY,
2/8)....MICHAEL JORDAN celebrated his 32nd birthday Tuesday at
his restaurant in Chicago.  On hand: Quaker Oats CEO WILLIAM
SMITHBURG, entertainer BEN VEREEN, and Chicago Mayor RICHARD
DALEY (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/8).