BY MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

BY THE BOARDS: "Alias" co-star Michael Vartan will be competing against such other show business hockey buffs as Cuba Gooding Jr., Tim Robbins and Jason Priestly at the Jan. 30 NHL Celebrity All Star Game at L.A.'s Staples Center. Is he excited? Tremendously. "I'm a Kings fan, and to get to skate on their rink and use their dressing room -- it's unbelievable!" He notes, "You'll never hear me brag about acting -- I'm not good at it, well, I'm OK -- but I excel at sports. Growing up in France, I was drafted for a professional soccer team ... With sports you win or lose, there's no grey area. With acting, so many are involved -- including the critics." Vartan is playing on the celebrity hockey team captained by producer David E. Kelley. Playing against them will be the team captained by producer Jerry Bruckheimer. E!Entertainment will air the celebrity challenge on Feb. 2.

© THE HOLLYWOOD EXCLUSIVE 2002

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