Maybe even in all of sports.
The scrappy and mouthy forward has spent his off seasons dating famous women, interning at Vogue magazine and exploring the world of fashion.
He once told ESPN he used to play with dolls and enjoys a nice purse.
His Dallas Stars teammates hated him and a mini-revolt was underway even before the ink dried on his four-year, $15.5 million deal.
Yet, for all his troubles, his former coach in LA (Andy Murray) had this to say about him - "Sure, he's a real character. But he's become a pretty darn good hockey player for the Rangers." Later in the same interview he called him "underrated as a player"
The always nice Luc Robitaille called him his "little puppy" when Avery's name came up during a word association segment.
Legendary NHL agitator Theo Fleury called him "different" during his interview on MayorsManor.
However, long time NHL referee Kerry Fraser wasn't nearly as nice at first, calling him "troubled." He then added, "but, a highly effective, skilled player."
Supposedly, Avery had clashed with several teammates and coaches during his three-plus years in Los Angeles. For example, there were reports he made fun of Dustin Brown's lisp and nearly got into a fist fight with then-assistant coach Mark Hardy at practice.
Ultimately, he was shipped to New York - where he initially thrived. And after his first full season in the Big Apple he signed the above mentioned free agent contract in Dallas. An experiment that lasted all of 23 games.
In addition to being a negative influence on the Stars' younger players (claims made by several in the organization), he eventually made the now infamous 'sloppy seconds' comment in reference to Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf dating his former girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had seen enough of his act. Avery was suspended from the league.
Upon being reinstated in March 2009, he was claimed off waivers by the Rangers and has remained in New York ever since.
Some guys still don't like him and probably never will.
Case in point, Ian Laperriere. One of the few players who can rival Robitaille for his gentlemanly nature and positive attitude, Lappy can't help but let loose when the name Sean Avery comes up...
"Worst teammate I played with by far - by far, far, far. I've met a lot of good people in my career and I've met a few bad ones. He's on the top of my list. It's not even for what he does on the ice. It's everything else he brings to the locker room. I've never been a fan...and I never will be."
We'll have to see if Avery, who often finds a way into the storyline of a game, weaves his way into tonight's Kings-Rangers match-up at Madison Square Garden.
The Mayor
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MayorsManor Podcast w/ Kerry Fraser - former referee tells amazing on and off ice stories
MayorsManor Podcast w/ Ian Laperriere - talking LA Kings, the fans and much more
Guys and Dolls - The Hockey Edition
Avery is a Attention Whore... His "sloppy seconds" comment showed what a loser he is. If no one knows he got the line from the movie Grease, it's what Danny Zuco says to Rizzo after the slumber party, obviously he was watching the movie before he made the comment...
ReplyDeleteSince coming to the Rangers Avery has been the most popular player. He was the sparkplug that triggered a late-season playoff run his first year and coming back from injury did the same thing the second year. He went to Dallas because he was asking too much money for GM's Sather taste but Sather snapped him up at less money on re-entry waivers, Dallas paying half his salary. Again he sparked the team down the stretch. Last year he was injured for the final games and team missed out by one point.
ReplyDeleteDon't know how he was elsewhere but he's no Matt Cooke. He's never tried to injure anyone. He's doesn't take stupid penalties and he gives 110 per cent every shift. He's a strong skater, checks like a fiend, has good puck sense, great passer, and overall a solid hockey player. Oh yes he stirs things up when the mood strikes him, but it's almost always in the context of the flow of the game. He draws a lot of retalatory penalties which help the team.
When he came to the Rangers Shanahan was there and took him under his wing. Maybe that's what straightened him out because in Dallas where Modano and Turco gave him the cold shoulder, he actually became the caricature others have of him.
This year he's tailed off badly in scoring although his assist total is high. As a result of not scoring he got shoved down to the fourth line for much of the season until the team was wracked by injuries and now with most players back, he's still on a top line. Callahan has now emerged as the leader of the team and Prust has become a fan favorite. But Avery remains popular although he has to start scoring to keep his place.
Tonight was a typical Ranger game, bang, bang, bang all night, 39 hits in all. Avery brought that ethic to the team, Callahan made it a science and everyone else joined in.
U douche bags in ny would praise a pos. SHe brings nothing to the sport. The racist plain sucks as a player and a human being.
ReplyDelete