Sean Avery Gets Indefinite Suspension From NHL
Posted December 2, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
He’s the biggest pest in the NHL and even his teammates don’t like him.
Now Sean Avery’s days in Dallas – and maybe the entire league – may be over for some time to come.
But unlike previous incidents, it won’t be because of something he did on ice.
Instead the pesky Stars forward has been suspended indefinitely by the league for “inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game.”
The NHL calls Avery’s actions “detrimental to the league or game of hockey,” an almost unprecedented allegation considering the penalty.
So what, exactly, did the Dallas dullard do? Avery was in Calgary for a game on Tuesday and is said to have deliberately sought out a TV camera, before making comments about Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf’s private life.
“I’m really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada,” the fallen forward is quoted as saying. “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.”
The reference is to Phaneuf’s significant other, Elisha Cuthbert, an actress who once dated the truculent iceman.
The owner of the Stars is condemning the comments while applauding the punishment. “Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have,” Tom Hicks noted in a statement. “This organization will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so.”
Avery’s suspension won’t be cancelled until he has a hearing with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. And no one’s saying when that might happen.
Avery has had a lot of trouble keeping a home team. He’s been with four of them over three seasons and has gotten into serious trouble wherever he’s been.
The “Avery Rule” was created in his name, after he deliberately waved his hand and stick in front of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur, blocking his view during a playoff game.
Photo credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
