Stars' Avery suspended indefinitely by NHL
Sean Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Tuesday, hours after the Dallas Stars forward made a crude reference to former girlfriends while talking with reporters.
Avery's inflammatory comments came following a morning skate in Calgary, Alberta, where the Stars were to play the Flames on Tuesday night. Reporters were waiting to speak with him about disparaging remarks he'd made last month about Flames star Jarome Iginla when Avery walked over to the group and asked if there was a camera present. When told there was, he said, "I'm just going to say one thing."
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," he said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight." He then walked out of the locker room.
Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert of the television show "24" and the movie "Old School," is dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf; she had been romantically linked to Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens. Avery also dated Rachel Hunter, the former Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model and actress who is now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings center Jarrett Stoll.
Shortly before Tuesday night's game, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the punishment, saying Avery made "inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game."
Avery will meet with Bettman before his punishment is settled. That get-together is likely to happen soon.
"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Stars owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."
Avery is a noted "pest," the kind of player who delights in doing or saying something to get under the skin of opponents and their fans. He's led the league in penalty minutes twice, and was doing so again going into Tuesday. He relishes being called the most hated player in the NHL.
His most infamous tactic came during last season's playoffs, while with the New York Rangers. Avery stood in front of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur and blocked his view by waving his hand and stick in the goalie's face. The next day, the league put in the so-called "Avery Rule" to prohibit such shenanigans.
Avery got a measure of revenge by scoring three goals in the series victory. But he lacerated his spleen in the following round against Pittsburgh, requiring a stay in intensive care and ending his stint with the Rangers.
Despite his tough-guy image on the ice, the 28-year-old Avery has cultivated another image in his private life: Fashionista. He's pursued his interest in the fashion world by interning with Vogue magazine. He's also broken into pop culture through appearances on MTV and in tabloid gossip columns; he also grabbed a spot on People's "Sexiest Scars" list for a gash on his lip.
Dallas signed Avery to a $15.5 million, four-year deal in July, hoping his grittiness would help last season's Western Conference finalists. Instead, the injury-riddled Stars went into Tuesday night's game with only 20 points, fewest in the Western Conference and near the bottom of the NHL.
Avery and Iginla were to meet on the ice for the first time since Avery said in an interview, "The NHL does a terrible job of marketing" by not promoting its "villains," and that "nobody cares about Jarome Iginla and guys like that, they're just not exciting enough."
The Stars and Flames have three more games this season. Next is Feb. 3 in Dallas; the Stars return to Calgary on March 18.
Avery and the Stars were in the New York area for three games in four days. Avery hardly spoke to reporters after practices and games, although after playing the Rangers he went on their postgame television show and disparaged former teammates who had criticized him.
Going into Tuesday night's game, Avery had 77 penalty minutes in 23 games. He also had three goals and seven assists.
Teammates were in the locker room when Avery spoke Tuesday, but didn't necessarily hear his interview. Told what he said, most were not surprised.
"We expect that out of him like we have all year," said goaltender Marty Turco, who was critical of Avery's agitation of Brodeur during the playoffs when it happened. "You know, the show continues."
Added forward Mike Ribeiro: "Nothing he says or does anymore shocks me. I think it's part of him."
Avery broke into the NHL with Detroit in 2001-02. He lived with teammate Brett Hull, who is now the Stars' co-general manager and was a driving force behind Dallas signing him.
Avery spent two seasons with the Red Wings, then played 3 1/2 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. His arrival in New York in 2007 helped spark a playoff run. Although he then matched his career-best in goals with 15 in 2007-08, the Rangers didn't try bringing him back.
The Stars are paying Avery $3.5 million this season. He'll make $4 million each of the next three years. His deal also includes a limited no-trade clause.
