The Avery File
| The Avery File |
| July 2005 |
| Avery blasts NHLPA executive Bob Goodenow over the lack of negotiations with the NHL to avoid a lockout. "I am furious at Bob," Avery told the Los Angeles Times. "Bob thought he was bigger than he was. Bob brainwashed players like me. We burned a year for nothing. We didn't win anything. We didn't prove anything. We didn't get anything. We wasted an entire season. "We underestimated how rich the owners were. Nobody thought they would be willing to burn a season. They won. They beat us." |
| September 2005 |
| After Kings teammate Jeremy Roenick is hit by Phoenix's Denis Gauthier, Avery lashes into the defensemen and French-Canadian players. "I think it was a clean hit," Avery said. "I think it was typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not back anything up. I'd think if a guy like Brett Hull was coming up the middle, somebody probably wouldn't have stepped up and hit him, but like I said, a typical move from a guy wearing a visor that certainly doesn't like to get scratched at all." Avery later released a statement apologizing for his comments. |
| October 2005 |
| Edmonton's Georges Laraque accuses Avery of making a racial slur during a game. "(He) fabricated the whole thing," Avery told the Los Angeles Times. "I have no idea why he would do that. I heard about it after the game and was surprised." Colin Campbell, NHL director of hockey operations, met with Avery following the incident, but lacked evidence to discipline the winger. |
| November 2005 |
| The NHL fines Avery $1,000 for criticizing the league on how it handles diving calls. "How can a guy sitting in an office in New York determine if you dived or not by watching a tape?" Avery said. "They don't know if you had a bad ankle or torn bursa sac or something. I can't even tell you what play they are talking about. They don't have to tell you a play, just what game they are looking at. No question that this is a way (for the league) to do something to me. It has nothing to do with diving." |
| April 2006 |
| Former NHL goalie Brian Hayward criticizes Avery during a broadcast, accusing the winger of avoiding a confrontation with Ducks enforcer Todd Fedoruk. Avery confronted Hayward with a profanity-laced tirade, saying "You're the reason the league doesn't have a national television deal. You're a (terrible) announcer and you were a (terrible) player." |
| July 2007 |
| The New York Post reports during Avery's arbitration, GM Glen Sather criticizes the winger saying, "Avery is not a mature player. He plays, at times, like an individual rather than a member of a team." In an e-mail response to The Post, Avery writes, "I have no idea what to say. I don't know what this was about. I'm shocked." |
| November 2007 |
| Avery allegedly makes a comment to Maple Leafs winger Jason Blake regarding his battle with Leukemia, sparking a pre-game incident between Avery and Toronto's Darcy Tucker. Toronto radio personality Howard Berger cites an unnamed Rangers player confirmed the comments. The NHL announces they will look into the incident, while Avery says he will pursue a libel charge against Berger. "I am extremely upset and hurt that false and damaging comments were attributed to me regarding Jason Blake. I made no such comments," Avery said in a statement. "I have lost two grandfathers to cancer and have been a consistent contributor to multiple cancer related charities, first and foremost, Hockey Fights Cancer. I am unable to comment further, as the matter is now being addressed by legal counsel." |
| April 2008 |
| The NHL is forced to adjust its rule book in-season due to Avery's on-ice antics in a first-round playoff matchup between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. After taking two goaltender interference penalties earlier in the series, Avery finds a new way to distract Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. The Rangers' agitator parks himself in front of the crease, and while facing Brodeur, flails wildly and waves his stick as a distraction. The NHL deems Avery's actions unsportsmanlike and decide similar actions will result a minor penalty. The new regulation is widely regarded as the "Avery Rule." New York ends up winning the series, 4-1. In the traditional handshake line, Brodeur refuses to acknowledge Avery. |
| December 2008 |
| Following a pre-game skate in Calgary, Avery, now a member of the Dallas Stars, summons the local media to give a statement. "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," Avery said, referring to a relationship between his ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert and Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. The NHL suspends Avery indefinitely. The comments draw criticism from the entire Stars' organization, from owner Tom Hicks and coach Dave Tippett to teammates Mike Modano and Marty Turco. "We expect that out of him like we have all year," Turco said. "You know, the show continues." Avery receives a six-game suspension from the NHL and volunteers to attend anger management counseling. On Dec. 14, the Stars announce they are parting ways with Avery. |
