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Stars' Avery suspended indefinitely by NHL
Associated Press
The hot and the not
VIDEO: So what did Sean Avery say? Watch his comments here.
PHOTOS: With Sean Avery's recent suspension, here's a look at the best pests in the NHL from Spector. |
"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 $4 million each of the next three years. His deal also includes a limited no-trade clause.
Member Comments
unreal..he didnt even say anything all that bad...these guys are paid big buck to beat the #$@$ out of eachother and he gets introuble for saying something stupid...he should file a suit against the NHL...
delgadom1/10/2009 22:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Is there a rule on the books of the NHL stating that a player can not use the term sloppy seconds? I thought not! Maybe Avery should file suit against Bettman!!
shempbat12/3/2008 17:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
AtlanticOpinion, outside of that region, the only metro teams I'd keep is in Denver, D.C. and Minneapolis, or is it St. Paul. That's my opinion. Maybe try something in Seattle or Alaska.<br /><br />Retooling a league is a very interesting idea. Expansion teams over the last 20 years are gone. Put the Jets back in Winnipeg. Commisioner Don Cherry will keep the league in check.<br /><br />I've had a chance to work with some players from the NFL, and the business end is too uncertain and volitile. MLB is a good model, just on a smaller scale.
chitowns-mo12/3/2008 12:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Chitowns, we can disagree about the fighting...and I do agree with you on the location of franchises in the US...with the exception of very large metro's...LA, Dallas..etc<br /><br />What are your thoughts on a major league overall of the NHL?? Shut down 6-10 franchises, form a new league, new TV deal, new collective bargaining agreement a la NFL?
12/3/2008 11:42:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
AtlanticOpinion, I agree with you some some of your points. New Commish should be #1, leaving SunBelt #2, larger ice surface stays at #3. Fighting needs to stay. It's the only part of the game that has stayed in tact throughout the years. It allows the players to police themselves. Players would have absolutely no respect for one another if fighting was banned.<br /><br />Hockey will never be mainstream in the US, regardless of the efforts of Betteman trying to make hockey resemble basketball as much as possible. It's a regional sport. I believe that it will never be popular, because Americans, as a whole, are egomaniacs. We don't embrace a sport that we're not considered the best at. Look at soccer. Most popular game in the world. The only thing soccer is used for in the states is an activity that overbearing moms send their kids to play so they don't get hurt playing football or hockey.<br /><br />In America, hockey belongs north of the Ohio River, and east of the Mississippi.
chitowns-mo12/3/2008 11:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey shifty...<br />Yes, they do grab face masks in football, but its 15 yrds and it's called on a consistent basis.<br /><br />The claim of "fighting is part of the game" is ridiculous, and a lame excuse?to watch UFC if you light fighting.<br /><br />Let's play revisionist history here:<br />1. No helmets is part of the game<br />2. No goalie mask is part of the game<br />3. No slap-shots is part of the game<br />4. No forward passes is part of the game<br /><br />?.all 4 of these rules where ?once part of the game?.<br /><br />Fighting will always be there, but it should not be legalized by a fraudulent NHL that thinks it has exclusive rights to the game of hockey?..the game of hockey needs to lose the NHL quickly, and form a new league based on the NFL model.<br /><br />It?s been done before?look it up!
12/3/2008 11:33:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
If a team or the league really want to step and eliminate these types of incidents, then they should have management who will step up and apply the standard no matter what outlet is used to make a distasteful comment. Kick players off the team for any disparaging remark (sexual, racial, etc). Yeah right, like that is going to happen. Maybe there shouldn't be cameras in the dressing rooms??? Give me a break here all the righteous people who think a league suspension is justified.
Dragonforce12/3/2008 11:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Well, he was only referring to Phaneuf's girl, so he only got suspended. Can you imagine what punishment would have been handed down if he made an obscure reference towards someone Crosby was with?
chitowns-mo12/3/2008 11:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The league does have a code of conduct and ethics rules,unlike other American sport leagues. I believe that all of the individual teams also have these rules of their own which our players are held to, again unlike other American sports leagues. I also know that there is at least 3 teams which do have MORALS clauses written into all contracts. People like Avery should not be in the NHL or in organized hockey at any level. This comment in it's self would be inappropriate if taken alone, but when you take all of his other comments and all of his on and off ice actions, you see a definite pattern. This guy needs medication, counseling, something.
thenhlgeek12/3/2008 10:52:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dockbeiz<br /><br />Wow, you sound like a REAL man. I didn't get picked on in HS. In fact I was the arse-hole bully who picked on others and got into fighta all the time. But then I grew up. Sounds like you haven't yet. Good luck with that.
Yamahog1212/3/2008 10:49:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
AtlanticOpinion.......take away fighting!? Are you completely insane? Fighting is to hockey like helmets are to football......its PART of the game. And FYI.....hitting from behind is either Boarding or Roughing.....its a penalty and is against the rules. Why dont we just get rid of football? They grab face masks .....gimme a break
shiftyscitzo12/3/2008 10:41:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I actually like both football and hockey.<br /><br />I'm just passing on what I've heard.<br /><br />But the antagonist is a joke as far as I'm concerned. Mouthing off so someone wants to hit you, and then asking the ref to call a penalty on him for hitting you?<br /><br />Call me crazy but I don't see that as being tough....
RagingBull124512/3/2008 10:25:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dockbeiz that isi exactly why your a hockey fan cause your a moron
squeedak1612/3/2008 10:19:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey HabFan....hockey doesn't get trashed, it's the NHL that needs to get trashed. The commish thinks his league can venture in sunbelt states and be successful...what a complete mess. 6 to 8 franchises are a financial joke. The game allows fighting, and hits from behind...what a joke. The NFL is both great on and off the field...sure, there are players that act like idiots...it's a cultural thing. The NHL needs to do the following:<br />1. Leave the SunBelt<br />2. Get rid of fighting<br />3. Larger Ice Surface (less hits from behind)<br />4. New Commish<br />5. New TV Deal<br />6. Less regular and playoff games<br />7. Market your stars like the NFL does<br />8. Have all Leaf fans go away<br />9. Have all Hab fans stop counting up to 24 and try counting to 25 (they won't in the near future)<br /><br />We love hockey, we just don't love what the NHL is marketing today.
12/3/2008 10:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
look at this tool. GOOD! real hockey fans dont want u poser NFL fans to watch. real hockey fans like the idea of not being anything like any of the main stream sports. ooooo oo god we have antagonists. your biggest stars beat and murder dogs and shoot people (including themselfs) and try to committ suicide w/ pills! get real, you think the NFL should be taken seriously? THAT league is a joke.
dockbeiz12/3/2008 10:16:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Going back a few pages - <br /><br />I never said Hockey is a hard sell in the US because of the violence.<br /><br />I think it's a hard sell because it doesn't have teh history there that other sports do.<br /><br />It just doesn't help the marketing of the game when it's seen as a bush league sport. I see the comments all the time on the football boards and people there tell me they don't take it seriously. <br /><br />One of the main reasons they sight is the role of the "antagonist" that is persistnat in the game. Hits and fighting are fine, but leave out the idea of being a jerk to insight another guy into a penalty (often cowaring from a fight in the process).<br /><br />No need to get mad at me here, I'm just passing along what I've been told on teh other sports boards.....
RagingBull124512/3/2008 10:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
i think your all forgetting 1 thing. your all losers who got picked on ur whole life, so the idea of someone making fun of someone else gets under your skin more. if any you chumps actually played hockey instead of blogged about it on a fox news chat forum youd understand that this was NOTHING. seriously, a slash hurts way more than some words, and that is as common as holding in football. get a life u pansys, your just like bettman, trying to make hockey a sissy sport like the NBA. u should all be ashamed
dockbeiz12/3/2008 10:09:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Sean Avery is white trash. He doesn't have the talent level to gain attention so he has to use classless antics like this to get the spotlight. I wonder if he had negligent parenting growing up. Surely his parents can't be proud of him. The NHL should kick his #### out of the league once and for all. When your own teamaates hate you, where do you go from there? As a Stars fan, I knew Avery coming to Dallas would be the team's demise and that's exactly what happened. The curse of Sean Avery. Animosity within the team will cause defeat. It's sad to see this happen to the Stars.
MaloneTB12/3/2008 10:05:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
that poll question was hilarious. sean avery is funny too. who cares if he trashed some no talent actress whose a "hockey hoe". the stars had the right to suspend him if they want, and i know its probly in the league charter to be able to suspend for the reasons bettman listed, but for the NHL exec's to get involved is just overkill. Bettman is a worm. go back to the NBA you know-nothing!!
dockbeiz12/3/2008 10:03:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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