Avs, other injured players will be paid despite lockout

DENVER -- Four Colorado Avalanche players will be paid on a temporary basis during the NHL lockout while they recover from hockey-related injuries.

Adam Foote, Dan Hinote, John-Michael Liles and Peter Worrell are being treated by the Avalanche medical staff. They will be placed on the team's payroll starting Oct. 13, when the NHL season was scheduled to begin, and will receive paychecks until team doctors say they are recovered.

Foote and Liles, both defensemen, were injured during the recent World Cup of Hockey tournament. Foote suffered an elbow injury and underwent surgery Wednesday. Liles cracked a bone in his foot but won't require surgery.

Hinote is recovering from offseason surgery to both shoulders, while Worrell had knee surgery.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman imposed a lockout Sept. 15 when the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NHL Players' Association expired. The two sides haven't scheduled any new meetings, putting the 2004-05 season in jeopardy.

"Anybody in the league who got hurt while playing during the CBA that just expired, or in the World Cup, will be paid during the lockout until the team doctors decide they're able to play again," said Avalanche defenseman Bob Boughner, a union vice president. "Guys who are still in the rehab process are definitely going to get paid."

Avalanche defenseman Rob Blake has recovered from surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder and won't be paid.

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