NHL suspends Avery indefinitely

Former Rangers pest Sean Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL today for what it called "inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game, made by Avery earlier today."

Avery faces a hearing with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman before the exact length of his hearing is determined.

Avery, who was in Calgary with the Dallas Stars, made some comments about Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf dating his former girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert.

According to TSN in Canada, Avery said on camera this morning in Calgary: "I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. 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.  Enjoy the game tonight."

Avery will not play in tonight's game between the Stars and Flames because of his suspension.

Here's what the press release from the NHL said:

"Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in accordance with the provisions of NHL By-Law 17 and Article 6
of the NHL Constitution for conduct "detrimental to the League or game of hockey," the National Hockey League announced today.  The suspension was imposed following inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game, made by Avery earlier today.

The date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled."

From the information I've received coming out of Dallas since the start of the season and various things that have been reported, I'd guess that Avery's Stars' teammates aren't going to be too broken up over him being suspended tonight.

This is not the first time Avery has targeted an opponent's personal life with his comments. Last season, he was caught on camera by MSG Network making references to the Devils' Martin Brodeur about his messy 2003 divorce. Brodeur confirmed those comments to me prior to last season's playoff series between the Rangers and the Devils and then refused to shake Avery's hand at the conclusion of that series.

 

Comments

[Matthew Butterworth]

wow hes such a classy guy

[bubbebutt]

as much as i dislike avery, thats funny as hell..

[Al]

Ha! What a tool!

[David]

they have clips of a couple of comments from his team mates including Ribberio, Modano and Turco. None said they were surprised he said something like that, and to think they only have 3 1/2 more years of him!!

[Tom Gulitti]

By the way, the Giants suspended Plaxico Burress for the final four regular season games and said he won't play the remainder of this season. They also fined him, but did not cut him.

[NJDevils44]

hahaha

I'm kinda bummed, I wanted him to play this game it would have been far more interesting...but on the other hand its sean avery so I hope he gets a 5 month suspension haha

[MAS]

The signing of Avery will be a black-eye on the Dallas Stars organization for years to come. Such a shame as they really are a solid organization.

[Puckster]

As much as I hate Avery, I don't like the NHL suspending players for speaking their mind even if it is something as idiotic as this.

[TG]

I thought the same thing initially, Puckster.

It is pretty insulting and insensitive to the woman, though. Not the kind of image the NHL wants.

[Jill]

I agree with it...he gets what he deserves. He wants to speak his mind? Go talk to his little friends, not on public television. Comments like that have no place in hockey. Who does he think he is? and I still support 100% Marty not shaking his hand, and this just backs it up even more.

The Stars are probably better off without Avery...who knows he could even be in his own teammates' heads. I would definitely be distracted by his antics if he were in the locker room. I was shocked that such a classy organization would sign a fool like him.

[Kris]

Of all the things Avery has said, this gets him suspended. Oh well, at least his trap finally got him in trouble.

[Frankie D]

I don't think this is the right move by the NHL. In fact, I think it is an idiotic move by the league. The NHL is hurting for fans, they are hurting for excitement, hurting for media attention, hurting for players with PERSONALITY. As stupid as he is, as painful it was to watch him beat the Devils last year, people were looking forward to seeing Avery and Phaneuf mix it up tonight. Now they have no reason to watch that game.

[RG9]

First three of our guys are back practicing with the team and now avery suspended... wow things are really getting great!!!!

[Kris]

Frankie- I'm going to have to disagree. The NHL does need attention, they don't need it from tools like Avery though. The kind of attention the NHL wants/needs is attention on their game and the speed, how exciting it is. Not bashing players relationships.

[Jeff in Hoboken]

I hate Avery as much as the next guy but I hope all this simply draws more attention to the best sport in the world. Hell, maybe even that ESPN channel will mention it. They're aware of hockey, right?

Now all some NHL player has to do is literally shoot themselves in the leg and we may make it on SportsCenter!!!

[mikeford]

Its unfortunate his suspension lets him avoid Dion Phaneuf no doubt murdering him during tonight's game.

[Shari]

Just when I thought he could not stoop any lower, I'm not at all surprised at this. It is a bit funny though but still not something to say to a Reporter. I was kind of hoping They would let Dion have at him during the game though. I guess it's ok to call the best Goaltender to ever play the game Fatso every chance you get though. I bet if Marty was not playing for Jersey and was playing for Mont or Tor Avey would have been suspended for that too, but because he plays in Jersey some Media People were laughing about it and think it's funny.

[Liz H]

I don't think this is the kind of attention the NHL needs. There is a difference between someone with a personality and someone with no class at all. If the NHL were to allow Avery to play and have a possible fight with Phaneuf, then it just makes the NHL as bad as Avery and all his crazy antics.

I do agree that there needs to be A LOT more coverage of the NHL in the sports media world, but this should not be the reason why the NHL is mentioned by ESPN/SportsCenter/etc.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

Man, that guy is a wh0re for attention. What the hel1 was going through dallas' GM when he signed avery??

[Mike]

I knew this would happen. I said it last season, this guy doesn't know when to quit. He won't be happy until he is bagging groceries instead of playing hockey. This isn't the end though, he will come back and do something to top this one day.

[TG]

Avery is friends with Brett Hull. They played in Detroit together.

[Josh]

As much as I dislike RangersAvery, when he's in the western conference he's a pretty hilarious guy. I guess it's deserving of suspension, although I don't think it's really necessary.

Comedic gold...

[TG]

Here's the statement from Stars owner Tom Hicks.

"Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. 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."

[MikeDeadworks]

Lame, and I was looking forward to watching that aspect of the game tonight. Otherwise no good reason to care about it, Calgary should take care of Dallas with no problem. Toronto vs. Sharks it is.

[bobo]

I hear Avery dated Gretzky's sister, or was it Wayne he dated