Dallas Stars GM, Brett Hull, had mentioned that maybe Avery could use “medical help” so I wonder if he had anything to do with the request that Avery undergo a professional anger-management evaluation.  If necessary, he may have to begin attending structured counseling sessions to address, what the league feels, is “unacceptable and antisocial” behavior.  Here’s what NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, had to say about the situation:

“Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation.  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.

Mr. Avery has been warned repeatedly about his conduct and comments, which have too often been at odds with the manner in which his more than 700 fellow players conduct themselves.  Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, requiring a high standard of personal behavior. Mr. Avery forfeits that privilege for six games.”

I wonder what will happen with the Stars.  They have eluded to the fact that they may not want Avery back.  Do you think he will dress for the December 16th game against the Phoenix Coyotes?

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Wow.  This situation gets worse by the minute.  People are pissed and I know some people think he shouldn’t have been suspended for his actions but I’m sorry – I hope Sean Avery is done. 

I’m reading articles/blog posts where people say it’s unreasonable for Avery to have been suspended indefinitely for referring to Calgary Flames defenseman, Dion Phaneuf’s girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert as “sloppy seconds.”  I’m sorry but it’s about more than that. 

He’s gotten away with so much crap over the years and this is my personal list of things that you shouldn’t do if you want to be taken seriously in the NHL:

• Don’t call a press conference to basically call someone a slut and insult an opponent on his choice of girlfriend.  Lame attempt to bring excitement to a game.
• Don’t call a press conference to insult a player in his own town.
• Don’t call a press conference when you’ve told your team and PR people that you won’t do that.
• Don’t get away with making racial comments towards players of diverse backgrounds as he has done with George Laraque.  The NHL couldn’t prove it and he was not punished.
• Don’t even think about commenting on a player’s fight with cancer as he did with Jason Blake.
• Don’t wave your stick in front of a goaltender in a lame attempt to look like you’re doing a good job defensively.  Beat a goalie like Martin Brodeur with skill.  Have a little class and respect for the game.

I have watched a lot of coverage on this tonight and one thing that stands out are the comments from Dallas Stars GM, Brett Hull, who said:

“There’s probably deeper issues that need to be dealt with as a person and forget being a hockey player.  Um… you know I think there might be, uh.. you know, some sort of medical help that he can get… you know there comes a point where you have to put everything together and go look at maybe this just isn’t gonna work.”

Ouch.  I respect Brett Hull for all he has given to the game and I have to agree with him. 

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

WOW.  My son and I have been looking forward to the Calgary Flames versus Dallas Stars game tonight, mostly because we really like Stars goalie, Marty Turco despite the fact that the team is off to a really horrible start.

Of course, a lot of people were wondering how the league’s biggest jerk, Sean Avery (Dallas) was going to try to harrass Dion Phaneuf (Calgary) since Neufy is dating the jackass’ former girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert.  We didn’t even have to wait for the game to start since Avery called all the press to gather round (even requesting TSN specifically) so he could say the following:

“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.”

What a complete and utter douche.  Anyway, the NHL has suspended him indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, because they felt that his conduct was “detrimental to the League or game of hockey.”

I’m happy to say that Tom Hicks, the owner of the Dallas Stars supports the suspension.  On the team’s official website, he wrote:

“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.” 

Avery is expected back in Dallas tomorrow morning and I hope he gets spanked.  Here’s a video:

His teammates seemed stunned (one even shrieked “he said what?!”) while Turco answered questions about whether this was going to be a distraction for the teams:  “Well, you’d like to think not.  We’re all competitive enough and focused to get out there and do our job. When it continues over time . . . things certainly can be (a distraction). I don’t think, overall, he’s been the one and only disappointment for our team. When you’re trying to build up, from the basement, like we are, you need everyone focused in.  Hopefully, those words are echoed from his focus and he just wants get out of here and get on the ice and be competitive. But it all remains to be seen.”

Should be an interesting game… in the meantime, check out these pictures of Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert on vacation.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat