Stevens, who could face up to three years in prison on the felony drug-possession charge, was arrested with a prostitute at a motel early Sunday in suburban St. Louis after the Rangers played the Blues.

	Stevens

Police said they found crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and about $3,000 in cash in the motel room. The 34-year-old former All-Star, who is married with two children, was placed in the NHL's substance-abuse program.

"I'm not sure how long it will take or when this will be over," said Rangers general manager Neil Smith, who visited Stevens at the Collinsville, Ill., jail Sunday. "I just want him to rejoin his wife and kids. That is what's most important."

In addition to the felony charge, Stevens faces misdemeanor charges of soliciting a prostitute and possessing drug paraphernalia. He was released on $1,500 bail and is due back in the court in Madison County, Ill., on Feb. 4.

Meanwhile, teammates and Rangers officials offered their support.

"Anybody who knows Kevin knows he's a quality person," Rangers goalie Mike Richter said in Atlanta, where the Rangers played the Thrashers on Monday night. "It hits you right in the heart. It's a very tough thing to comprehend."

Smith wasn't sure when Stevens would rejoin the team. It was not immediately clear whether he returned to the New York area after his release from jail.

Pamela Velia, 27, told police Stevens was smoking crack with a glass pipe when she got into a cab with him. She said Stevens gave her $500 and bought another $500 worth of cocaine from a street dealer in East St. Louis, Ill.

The cab driver then took Stevens and the woman to a motel, where the two continued to smoke crack together, police were told. Police showed up at the motel after someone reported a disturbance.

Velia, the cab driver and another man suspected of being the woman's pimp were also charged with felony drug possession Monday, authorities said.

"It's just unfortunate this happened," Rangers forward Theo Fleury said. "All I want is for him to get help."

Stevens, a winger, has played little recently but was in the lineup against St. Louis on Saturday night. He has three goals and five assists in 38 games.

The three-time All-Star helped Pittsburgh to Stanley Cup titles in 1991 and 1992. He scored 54 goals for Pittsburgh in 1991-92 and had 55 in 1992-93.

He has 318 goals and 371 assists in 13 seasons with Pittsburgh, Boston, Los Angeles and New York.