The NHL has had enough of Dallas Stars winger Sean Avery: in an interview, the mouthy agitator made derogatory remarks about his ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert and her boyfriend, Calgary Flames forward Dion Phaneuf. The NHL suspended Avery indefinitely.
Digital Journal — Was Sean Avery looking to get suspended? His recent interview remarks didn’t touch on any hockey issues but instead took a swipe at his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend. Before the Dallas Stars match with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night, Avery requested the media to gather around him for a sound bite (see above).
“I am 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.”
With that statement, the NHL suspended Avery indefinitely pending a hearing with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Avery’s remarks were dubbed “inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game.” Dallas Stars owner Thomas O. Hicks supports the league’s decision, writing on the team’s website: “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.”
Avery signed a four-year, $15.5 million deal with Dallas in July. Last year, he played for the New York Rangers for little more than a season. But his off-ice escapades have attracted more attention than his aggressive style of play: he dated actress Cuthbert last year and he also reportedly dated model Rachel Hunter, now engaged to Los Angeles Kings’ center Jarrett Stoll.
Avery is no stranger to outspoken remarks. Several months ago he said the NHL does a poor job in marketing its stars, and he also called Calgary Flames forward Jerome Iginla “boring.” When he was with the Rangers, Avery supposedly verbally attacked TV host John Giannone, throwing out obscenities about Giannone’s wife.
