The Canadian championshipss in Winnipeg, Man., would have been the first competition of the season for Stojko, who was forced out of three ISU Grand Prix events last autumn by Achilles tendinitis and a groin pull.

Futerman reported that the latest injury occurred earlier this week when Stojko banged his knee hard while training in Philadelphia, his training locale for the last two years.

When the pain did not subside and his knee swelled, Stojko flew home to Toronto and was examined on Thursday by an orthopedic surgeon. An ultrasound test revealed a small, partial tear in the patella tendon.

Stojko, the current world silver medalist, was advised by the doctor not to do any strenuous skating or competing for the next four to six weeks, Futerman said.

Although the prognosis is that the 28-year-old Stojko will make a complete recovery in that time, his status as a competitor for the 2001 world championships is uncertain.

A mid- or late-February return to the ice would leave little training time for the global event, which begins March 19 in Vancouver.

In the last decade, Stojko has missed one other national championship event. His absence in 1995 was due to an ankle injury. Two months later he won the world title.

With Stojko out, Emanuel Sandhu and Ben Ferreira, ranked second and third last year, are expected to battle for the national crown.

Stojko was the second contender to pull out of the Canadian championships, which begin Monday.

Last year's silver medalist Michelle Currie, considered to be three-time champion Jennifer Robinson's most serious challenger in the women's event, has been sidelined by a foot injury.

Withdrawing was a difficult decision for Currie, who had hoped to win a berth there for the world championships in her hometown of Vancouver.