Pat Lafontaine

Buffalo Sabre center Pat LaFontaine will sit out another three to four weeks because of the effects of a concussion last month, the team said Friday. LaFontaine, the Sabres' captain, has been physically exhausted, often feeling tired and worn out, since the fifth concussion of his career Oct. 17, Buffalo General Manager John Muckler said. On Oct. 17, LaFontaine, 31, took an elbow to the head from Pittsburgh defenseman Francis Leroux and was knocked to the ice unconscious.

What: "Companions in Courage" Authors: Pat LaFontaine, with Dr. Ernie Valutis, Chas Griffin and Larry Weisman Publisher: Warner Books Retail Price: $23.95 This book opens with Pat LaFontaine telling his story, beginning with the concussion he suffered in 1996 that essentially ended his career as one of the best players in the NHL.

New York Ranger center Pat LaFontaine, sidelined since March 16 because of a head injury, has been given the OK to travel to Chicago to see a specialist. Ranger General Manager Neil Smith announced Thursday that LaFontaine will travel to Chicago for a meeting with Dr. James Kelly of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. LaFontaine has missed the last four games after suffering a head injury against the Ottawa Senators.

The Ducks have contacted the Buffalo Sabres about the status of veteran center Pat LaFontaine, who has not participated in training camp after missing most of last season because of complications from an Oct. 17 concussion. LaFontaine must receive medical clearance from the Sabres before a trade can be completed. So far, doctors disagree on whether LaFontaine should resume his 14-year NHL career.

Pat LaFontaine extended his goal-scoring streak to a club-record 11 games with his NHL-high 39th goal and added five assists Thursday night as the New York Islanders beat the Minnesota North Stars, 8-4, for their fifth consecutive victory. LaFontaine, who has scored 18 goals in his streak, broke the Islander record set by Mike Bossy, who did it in 1981. LaFontaine, who had only 21 assists coming into Thursday night's game, fell one short of Bossy's Islander record with his five-assist night.

Buffalo Sabre captain Pat LaFontaine was traded to the New York Rangers for a second-round draft choice after disagreements among doctors over whether a concussion would end his career. LaFontaine had been haggling with the Sabres for more than a month after two of his own doctors said he can play while Buffalo's team physicians disagreed. He received clearance from the Rangers' medical staff last week. "It's tremendously exciting to get back and play a game I love," LaFontaine said.

Pat LaFontaine scored two goals, and Team USA threw a defensive net around Team Finland for a 4-1 victory in an opening game of the 1987 Canada Cup Friday night before a crowd of 8,508 at Hartford, Conn. The victory broke a nine-game winless streak for Team USA against Team Finland dating back to 1981. The Finns were 5-0-4. LaFontaine, of the New York Islanders, scored the game's first goal in the second period and made it 2-0 in the third period.

Buffalo Sabre center Pat LaFontaine, last year's runner-up in NHL scoring, will undergo reconstructive knee surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the season. "I definitely need surgery and most likely I'll miss the rest of the season," LaFontaine confirmed after Buffalo shut out Winnipeg, 6-0, Friday night at Buffalo to record its first home victory of the season. LaFontaine said there is a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.

With 15 goals and 33 points this season, Pat LaFontaine has shown opponents he has recovered from career-threatening post-concussion syndrome. It took him a bit longer to prove it to Lou Lamoriello, general manager of the U.S. Olympic team. Finally convinced that LaFontaine can withstand the demands of elite-level hockey, Lamoriello on Monday included the 32-year-old center among the six players named to complete the 23-man Nagano roster.

New York Ranger center Pat LaFontaine will be sidelined indefinitely until symptoms from a head injury diminish, the team said. "He is still suffering headaches," Ranger spokesman John Rosasco said Tuesday in New York. "Once his symptoms subside, he is going to see Dr. James Kelly at the Chicago Institute for Head Injuries. Dr. Kelly will give us a date when he can return."