The National Hockey League came down hard on Dallas Stars superpest Sean Avery Friday, handing him a six-game suspension for making inappropriate public comments prior to the Stars' game in Calgary on Tuesday.
The move is retroactive to Tuesday's game against the Flames, with four more games to be served.
"Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a league-issued statement. "I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations."
Avery and Stars co-general manager Brett Hull met with Bettman Thursday in New York after being given an indefinite suspension on Tuesday.
Perhaps the most hated man in hockey, Avery made headlines for all the wrong reasons after making disparaging remarks about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert, the Canadian-born actress currently dating Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf.
His comments were strongly condemned by Dallas coach Dave Tippett and owner Tom Hicks.
Avery, who signed a four-year, $15 million deal with the Stars this past summer, has three goals and 10 points in 23 games this season.
He spent the previous 1 1/2 seasons with the New York Rangers and got plenty of attention last spring after using questionable tactics to block the view of New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
It's not the first has gotten himself into trouble. While with the Los Angeles Kings from 2003 to 2007, Avery publicly criticized management of the Players' Association and NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell, made disparaging remarks about French Canadians wearing visors and was involved in heated arguments with Anaheim Ducks broadcaster Brian Hayward and Kings assistant coach Mark Hardy.
More to follow.
TSN.ca
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Should have been more IMO. Not because what he said "sloppy seconds", was so bad, but because of the way he did it (calling the media to him for it) and that he has done this so many times.
Oh well, even when his suspension is over, I doubt he will play for a while. Dallas said they don't even want him back.