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Sean Avery
Born	(1980-04-10) April 10, 1980 (age 44) Pickering, ON
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Free Agent Dallas Stars Los Angeles Kings Detroit Red Wings New York Rangers
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1999–present

Sean Avery (born April 10, 1980) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who most recently played for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He formerly played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers. Prior to the NHL, Avery played for the Owen Sound Platers and the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Avery's success in his role of distracting other players has arguably made him one of the most reviled players in the league. Avery’s “double life” of being a professional athlete while having an interest in fashion has prompted New Line Cinema to commission a screenplay.

Playing career

Detroit Red Wings (1999–2003)

In 1999, Avery was signed by the Detroit Red Wings and broke into the NHL, playing 36 games with the Red Wings during the 2001–02 season. The Red Wings went on to win the Stanley Cup that season, though Avery did not partake in the playoffs nor did he play the required 40 games to get his name engraved on the Cup.

Midway through the 2002–03 season, the Red Wings traded Avery along with Maxim Kuznetsov, a first round selection (Jeff Tambellini) and a second round selection in 2004 to the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Mathieu Schneider. Sean finished the season with 15 points in 51 games. Years later, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said that one reason he unloaded Avery was because he seemed to lack respect for the game.

Los Angeles Kings (2003–2007)

In 2003–04 Avery played 76 games for the Kings, scoring nine goals and 19 assists. Avery also led the NHL in penalty minutes with 261. His tenure with the Kings was marked by a number of publicized controversial utterances.

During the NHL lockout, Avery played in the Finnish SM-liiga for Pelicans. In 2 games he scored 3 goals, but then left Finland unexpectedly and returned to North America. He then played in the UHL alongside Chris Chelios, Bryan Smolinski, and Derian Hatcher for the Motor City Mechanics. He tallied 26 points in 16 games, 15 goals and 11 assists. Those 15 goals included two hat tricks, allowing Avery to become the first player in Mechanics history to record two hat tricks in one season. He also had 149 penalty minutes. Avery made news during the lockout, when he was quoted as saying that the management of the National Hockey League Players Association lied to its members about the lockout. During the lockout, Avery lived for three weeks with former teammate Chris Chelios, until Chelios' patience wore thin. "He turned my house upside down," Chelios said.

Denis Gauthier of the Phoenix Coyotes bodychecked Kings forward Jeremy Roenick in a 2005 preseason game, giving Roenick a concussion. Avery's response was "I think it was typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not back anything up," generating much controversy with the French-Canadian public. Avery also made news during the regular season when Georges Laraque of the Edmonton Oilers, a Black Canadian, claimed that Avery called him a monkey during an contest between the two teams. The incident was never proven and Avery adamantly denies it ever occurred. Avery was fined $1,000 by the NHL on November 15, 2005, for intentionally diving during a game, then was fined $1,000 more a day later after publicly criticizing the NHL's director of hockey operations, Colin Campbell.

Avery and Anaheim Mighty Ducks broadcaster and former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Brian Hayward had a heated discussion in the Kings dressing room on April 7, 2006, over Hayward's on air comments during the April 4 Kings vs Ducks game, in which he accused Avery of avoiding a fight with Ducks' forward Todd Fedoruk. Avery began the argument by uttering that Hayward was an "embarrassment", a "(terrible) announcer", and was a "(terrible) player". Hayward responded by saying "How would you know? When I played, you were in your third year of eighth grade." Near the end of the season, the Kings decided to suspend Avery, stating that he would not be with the team for the remainder of the year. A source claimed Avery had an argument with assistant coach Mark Hardy after refusing to participate in a practice drill.

On July 24, 2006 the Los Angeles Kings signed Avery to a $1.1 million, one-year contract. Avery was a restricted free agent, so the Kings avoided going into salary arbitration by signing him to a deal.

New York Rangers (2007–2008)

Avery was traded by the Kings to the New York Rangers on February 5, 2007, together with John Seymour, for players Jason Ward, Jan Marek and Marc-Andre Cliche. Avery recorded a career-high four points in a game against the Boston Bruins on March 17. He notched one goal and added three assists to help the Rangers beat the Bruins 7–0. Avery later played in his first career playoff game on April 12 against the Atlanta Thrashers. He recorded his first playoff points with a goal and an assist in the series against the Thrashers. He cut down on penalty minutes by about 65% in 2006–07 compared to seasons past.

On August 1, 2007 Avery, as a restricted free agent, earned an arbitration award of $1.9-million for the 2007–08 season, which the Rangers accepted thus keeping him with the team for at least another year.

Colin Campbell and the NHL fined Avery, Darcy Tucker, the Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs for actions during warmups before their Nov. 10, 2007, game. Howard Berger of Toronto radio station CJCL The Fan 590 alleged that the reason for the altercation was a remark made by Avery concerning Jason Blake's diagnosis with a rare form of Leukemia. However Avery denied making the comments, and served CJCL with a notice of libel. On December 3, the radio station retracted on air its allegations made about Avery.

On November 29, 2007, Avery had arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist and did not return to the ice until the game against the Ottawa Senators on December 23.

When Avery scored his seventh goal of the season, ten seconds into a game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 16, 2008, he set a record for fastest goal scored by a Ranger at home ice.

In the early morning of April 30, 2008, after a playoff game against the Penguins, Avery went to the hospital with a lacerated spleen. He was released from the St. Vincent's Medical Center on May 4.

Dallas Stars (2008)

Avery signed a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 2008. He'd been a roommate of current Stars co-general manager Brett Hull when the two played for the Red Wings. Hull thought the Stars needed more fire and emotion on the ice, and felt Avery would fit the bill.

Avery's performance has largely mirrored the Stars' sluggish early performance; as of December 1 he had only three goals. His play has been a source of frustration to his teammates; according to TSN's James Duthie, one anonymous Star said that Avery "doesn't pay attention" and hasn't been able to grasp the Stars' system.

During a November 1 game against the Boston Bruins, Avery was accused of unleashing a torrent of obscenities at a fan who was heckling him in the penalty box. A complaint was filed with the NHL, but no action was taken.

Avery's time in Dallas was short, as he and the team parted ways in December after he made some controversial comments about fellow NHL players (see below).

Comments about Dion Phaneuf

On December 2, 2008, prior to the Stars' morning skate in preparation for a game against the Calgary Flames, Avery approached the assembled reporters in the dressing room and informed them that he was about to make a statement. He proceded to make the following comment directed towards Flames' defenceman Dion Phaneuf, who is dating Avery's ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert, and presumably also Kings' forward Jarret Stoll, who is dating another of Avery's ex-girlfriends, Rachel Hunter:

I'm just going to say one thing. I'm really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. I just wanted 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.

The fallout was almost immediate. Within hours of the remarks, the NHL suspended Avery indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the league or game of hockey." It is believed to be the first time in modern NHL history that a player has been disciplined for comments made off the ice.

Avery's comments were met with near-unanimous condemnation by the Stars organization, fellow players, and fans alike. Owner Tom Hicks said in a press release that the Stars would have certainly suspended Avery had the league not acted first, and added that the Dallas Stars "would not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team." Co-general manager Les Jackson said that Avery "embarrassed our team (and) our city" with his comments, and also said that Avery "hasn't represented anybody professionally" all season. Hull said that he'd talked to Avery numerous times regarding the properly channeling of his emotions, and added that his remarks revealed something that "goes beyond hockey and beyond the game on the ice", hinting that Avery may suffer from emotional problems. Hull also felt Avery let the team down "in a time where half the team is injured and we're short manned and struggling for every point we can get." Coach Dave Tippett said that while trash-talk was part of the game, "there is an integrity that has to go along with the game, respect for the game and respect for your opponents and Sean crossed that line." Forward Mike Modano called Avery's remarks "unacceptable" and conceded that dealing with Avery's presence in the Stars' lineup over the season had been "a bit of work". Goalie Marty Turco echoed Modano's sentiments, saying that the Stars were an organization that expected players to "own up" to what they do.

TSN's Duthie spoke with three Stars' players, all of whom said on condition of anonymity that sentiment in the locker room was running strongly against Avery being allowed back. Both Bob McKenzie and Duthie reported that Stars' management were actively pursuing all options to permanently rid themselves of Avery. On December 5, the NHL fixed Avery's suspension at six games, retroactive to the December 2 game against the Flames. He voluntarily agreed to undergo an anger management evaluation, and structured counseling if necessary, due to what the NHL called "unacceptable and antisocial" behavior "at odds with the manner in which his more than 700 fellow players conduct themselves."

Before the Stars' next game against the Edmonton Oilers, coach Tippett himself indicated that he wasn't sure whether Avery would be welcome back on the team, saying, "I don't know if we can build the best team possible with Sean coming back." Tippett also said that the team had been well aware of the buzz surrounding Avery and Cuthbert, and that Avery had assured him he wouldn't talk to the media about it. He also added that he was particularly upset that Avery appeared to have planned the stunt all along. Bettman himself said that one factor in the suspension was that in his opinion, the stunt appeared premeditated.

On December 3, Avery issued an apology through his publicist, which was obtained by The Sporting News.

I would like to sincerely apologize for my off-color remarks to the press yesterday from Calgary. I should not have made those comments and I recognize that they were inappropriate. It was a bad attempt to build excitement for the game, but I am now acutely aware of how hurtful my actions were. I caused unnecessary embarrassment to my peers as well as people I have been close with in the past. I apologize for offending the great fans of the NHL, the commissioner, my teammates, my coaching staff and the Dallas Stars management and ownership. As many of you know, I like to mix it up on and off the ice from time to time, but understand that this time I took it too far.

Avery also attempted to apologize to his teammates earlier in the day, and also expressed a desire to issue a formal apology through the team. However, the Stars rejected both offers out of hand.

Avery met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, league disciplinarian Colin Campbell, and other NHL officials to discuss his remarks on December 4. Hull also attended the meeting. Bettman told reporters that he and Campbell had warned Avery on separate previous occasions that he was sailing too close to the wind, and that the only reason they didn't act sooner was because they couldn't get enough verification to give Avery proper due process. He also said the league needed to send a message, particularly to its' younger fans, that Avery's habitual poor behaviour was not acceptable. He later told NHL.com's Dan Rosen that had Avery made the same comments on the ice, it is not likely he would have been punished, but that interactions with the media are very different from interactions on the ice.

The team had the options of imposing its' own suspension, buying out his contract, placing him on waivers, or sending him to the minors. On December 14, 2008, the Dallas Stars announced that Avery would not be returning to the team upon serving his six-game suspension. All parties said there is a clear understanding that a return to the Stars is not in the best interest of either the hockey club or Avery. "Sean needs to focus on his own well-being while the Stars hockey team must focus on playing hockey and competing for a playoff spot," said Co-General Manager Brett Hull. "Everyone understands that Sean will not return to the Dallas Stars. We all need to move forward."

In regards to speculation as to where Avery may wind up after leaving Dallas, Detroit GM Holland told NHL.com that Avery wouldn't be welcome back with the Red Wings because "it's apparent that he hasn't matured." Tampa Bay's Jay Feaster said he had no room for Avery because he didn't seem to be a team player. Mark Chipman, owner of the Stars' AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, informed the Stars that the Moose have absolutely no interest in bringing Avery on board.

Style of play

Despite Avery's relatively average physical dimensions (5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and 195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st)), he is considered to be one of the best agitators in the NHL.

Because of his style of play, Avery has made many enemies in the NHL and is considered a pest by many. In a 2007 poll of 283 NHL players, 66.4% said that Sean Avery was the most hated player in the league.

"The Sean Avery rule"

During an April 13, 2008 first round playoff game against the New Jersey Devils, Avery screened goaltender Martin Brodeur during a two-man advantage on the powerplay. He waved his hands and stick in front of Brodeur in an attempt to distract him and block his view. Although not illegal, many NHL commentators and players described Avery's actions as unsportsmanlike. The following day, the NHL issued an interpretation of the league's unsportsmanlike conduct rule to cover actions such as the one employed by Avery. Following the Rangers victory in Game 5 of the series, Avery reached to shake Brodeur's hand, but Brodeur did not reciprocate.

Don Cherry told Toronto radio station The FAN 590 on Avery's tactic, "I've known this kid since he was about 16 years old; Once a jerk, always a jerk. You can't blame the referee, because 'he couldn't believe what he was seeing.'"

Career statistics

Personal life

Avery played a small role in the movie "Maurice Richard" (2005), as Bob Dill. His storyline in the movie was only one scene, where he showed how Richard became a target, not only for his ability to play great hockey, but also because of his francophone background. In the film, Avery coincidentally portrays a member of the New York Rangers, two years before actually joining the team.

Avery appeared in a December 2006 episode of MADtv with Kings teammates Tom Kostopoulos and Scott Thornton.

He was linked romantically to Rachel Hunter but they ended their year-long relationship in June 2005. He dated Elisha Cuthbert until she broke up with him in August 2007. Avery can be seen in the episode of "Punk'd" where Cuthbert was victimized. He has also been featured on an episode of MTV Cribs and TRL.

Avery was on the "Sexiest Man Alive 2007" list by People magazine, on which Matt Damon was number one.

On March 29, 2008, the New York Daily News reported that Avery was listed in a "little black book" seized from the computer of Kristin Davis, a Manhattan madam. Avery denied the accusation and claimed he was a victim of a practical joke, blaming his enemies for using his name. He said he and his teammates just laughed the whole thing off hysterically. Davis's attorney said that his client has "never had any contact ever" with Avery, and even claimed that there is no black book.

Interest in fashion

In April 2008 it was announced that Avery would be spending the summer off-season interning at Vogue magazine. According to one fashion report "Avery is a self-confessed clotheshorse who has been known to give girlfriends advice on how to dress, and in interviews has expressed a dream to become a fashion editor after his days on the ice" He joined in a fashion partnership with friend and former director of Calvin Klein's celebrity services, Lauryn Flynn. Starting June 23, Avery guest-edited Mensvogue.com, the website for Men's Vogue magazine. He is also a vintage wine aficionado whose collection has been featured in an NHL.com interview. Avery revealed on ESPN that as a child he would play with dolls that he would steal from his sister and babysitter.

Avery's interest mainly resides with women's fashion. Avery has said with men's fashion, "You do suits and pants and that's about that. Women's clothes tell a story. That's what's interesting to me."

References

1. ^ Clothes Make The Ice Man November 3, 2008 Issue
2. ^ Rosen, Dan; and Adam Kimelman. Holland: "Avery hasn't matured". NHL.com, 2008-12-05.
3. "Top brass not at NHL bargaining table".
4. "Although they don't defend Avery, a couple of ex-teammates offer words of support".
5. "Kings' Avery sounds off on French NHLers".
6. "Avery says Laraque made up racial slur".
7. Foster, Chris. "League Fines Avery for His Comments After First Fine".
8. "Avery confronts NHL broadcaster Hayward".
9. "Report: Kings part ways with Sean Avery".
10. Matsuda, Gann. "Kings Sign Avery To One-Year Contract".
11. "Kings deal Avery to Rangers".
12. "Rangers 7, Bruins 0".
13. Zipay, Steve. "Rangers accept Avery's $1.9M arbitration award".
14. NHL.com. "NHL fines Rangers, Maple Leafs, Avery, Tucker".
15. The Sports Network. "Avery denies making comments to Blake".
16. Brroks, Larry (2007-11-13). "Avery: I Was Libeled". New York Post. Retrieved 2007-12-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
17. "Toronto radio station retracts claim Avery made cancer-related remarks". Associated Press. 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2007-12-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. Podell, Ira (2008-02-16). "NY Rangers 5, Buffalo 1". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
19. Rangers' Avery taken to hospital with lacerated spleen
20. Sources: Rangers star Sean Avery hospitalized
21. iht.com/articles, Sunday's Sports in Brief
22. "Stars Sign Sean Avery" (Press release). Dallas Stars. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-11. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
23. ^ Heika, Mike. Dallas Stars frustrated with suspended Avery's actions. Dallas Morning News, 2008-12-03.
24. ^ Duthie, James. Avery's teammates hope "indefinitely" means "forever". The Sports Network, 2008-12-03.
25. ^ Burnside, Scott. Isolated incident? No, Avery's career has been defined by indiscretions. ESPN, 2008-12-03.
26. Apparently, The NHL Won't Stand for Sean Avery's Sloppy Seconds]
27. YouTube - Sean Avery - Comment; "My Sloppy Seconds" on Dec 2, 2008]
28. ^ NHL statement on Avery suspension
29. Stars' Avery to meet with NHL on Thursday. The Sports Network, 2008-12-03.
30. Myers, Tracey. Dallas Stars' image 'tarnished,' by Avery's comments, Modano says. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2008-12-03.
31. NHLer Avery to sit 6 games for controversial remark. CBC Sports, 2008-12-05.
32. Tippett, frustrated by Avery's antics, expresses his doubts. ESPN, 2008-12-04.
33. ^ Rosen, Dan Avery banned six games. NHL.com, 2008-12-05.
34. Custance, Craig. Avery apology: Step toward reconciliation or departure?. The Sporting News, 2008-12-03.
35. McKenzie, Bob. McKenzie: Avery's future with Stars in doubt. The Sports Network, 2008-12-03.
36. Avery awaits word from Commissioner Bettman. The Sports Network, 2008-12-04.
37. Rosen, Dan Bettman says Avery was warned, then crossed the line. NHL.com, 2008-12-05.
38. AVERY TO CONTINUE COUNSELING, WON'T REJOIN STARS. TSN.ca, 2008-12-14.
39. "Stars' AHL affiliate in Manitoba not interested in Avery".
40. "The Hockey News player poll results".
41. "NHL amends unsportsmanlike conduct rule in response to Avery's antics". ESPN.com. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
42. "Avery's antics sparks NHL to make new rule". TSN.ca. 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2008-10-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
43. "Maurice Richard".
44. Ford, Fiona. "At least the smile hasn't drooped".
45. People.com. "Sexiest Man Alive 2007".
46. Connor, Tracy. Martinez, Jose. "Sean Avery in hooker's black book".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
47. JOHN DELLAPINA and CARRIE MELAGO. "Sean Avery is no lonely Ranger: Laughs off link to madam's black book".
48. Staple, Aruthur. "Lawyer: Client never had contact with Avery".
49. Memo Pad: And his qualifications are?... Eye of the beholder...
50. People
51. Mensvogue.com
52. nymag.com

External links

• Sean Avery career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Sean Avery player profile at TSN.ca
• Template:Espn nhl
• Sean Avery player profile at NHL.com
• Sean Avery: Hockey’s Bad Boy Gets Pretty
• Sean Avery at IMDb

Template:Persondata

• 1980 births
• Canadian ice hockey centres
• Dallas Stars players
• Detroit Red Wings players
• Grand Rapids Griffins players
• Ice hockey personnel from Ontario
• Kingston Frontenacs alumni
• Living people
• Los Angeles Kings players
• Manchester Monarchs players
• Motor City Mechanics players
• New York Rangers players
• Owen Sound Platers alumni
• Pelicans players
• People from Durham Region
• Undrafted National Hockey League players
• Stanley Cup champions