Sean Avery’s main transgression occurred the morning December 2 in 2008. In front of the media, Avery poked fun at Flames star Defenseman Dion Phaneuf who is dating his ex-girlfriend:
While Avery’s exercised bad judgment in his not so subtle jab at Jarret Stoll and Dion Phaneuf, both of whom are dating people who have been romantically involved with Sean Avery, the response of the hockey community was disgraceful. Instead of being reprimanded for inappropriate remarks, the league castigated Sean Avery because of his controversial career as a hockey player.
Sean Avery has made a career out of being the most hated player in the NHL. He relishes in being the games dirtiest player, a claim backed by an ESPN player poll that overwhelmingly verified that claim. For years the hockey community, most notably Barry Melrose, has seethed at every “injustice” perpetrated by Avery. He has been chastised for violating the “code” or unwritten rules that NHL players abide by. Despite his antics, two things can be said about Sean Avery. Firstly, he wants to win at all costs. His overly competitive nature is the engine behind all of his comments and actions. He’d rather the opposing team focus on beating him rather than his opponents beating his team. Time and time again Avery has sacrificed his body so his team may win. Avery’s other attribute is that despite all his questionable behavior, prior to December second the league never ever suspended him. Although never suspended, Sean has a reputation for causing trouble and speaking in a passionate and candid manner.
After being spending his first year and a half with the Detroit Red Wings, Sean Avery was part of a multi-player deal that sent him to the Los Angles Kings. While a member of the Kings, Avery quickly established himself as an offensively gifted forward who had a knack getting under peoples skin. His reputation started to build during the lockout of the 2004-2005 season. Sean Avery accused the NHL Players Association of lying to its players about work stoppage.
Sean Avery started to grab headlines when hockey resumed the following season. After his teammate Jeremy Roenick suffered a concussion at the hands of Coyotes defender Denis Gauthier, Avery irked many French-Canadians by saying "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." His narrow-minded rebuke of Gauthier’s caused quite a stir. Later that season Avery found himself in the center of another French-Canadian controversy. This time, Avery found himself in the middle of an argument with Montreal Canadian great Brian Hayward after Hayward mentioned Avery’s perceived hesitation to fight enforcer Todd Fedoruk. Although the validity of Hayward’s remarks is a source of debate, publicly questioning player’s manhood in the machismo world of hockey is considered a disgraceful act. After a similar incident involving Georges Laraque, one that lead to a public spat with disciplinarian Colin Campbell, Avery had worn out his welcome in Los Angles.
It was under these circumstances the Avery was brought to the New York Rangers. The offensively gifted Avery provided an instant spark to a lethargic Rangers team. He sparked a 17-4-9 run that lead to Rangers to the playoffs. Sean Avery’s edgy style immediately endeared him amongst the Ranger faithful, an amazing feat for anyone who follows New York sports. The following year, Avery excelled in his two best facets of the game: winning and turmoil. Avery led the rangers to the playoffs against the archrival New Jersey Devils. It was during this series Sean Avery became a household name. During a two-man advantage, Sean Avery placed himself at the top of the crease facing Goalie Martin Broudeur. Avery remained at the top of the crease waving his stick and distracting Marty. The play (which can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec_2oKWe2Gw) immediately became a talk radio sensation. Although legal, no rule existed prohibiting it, the screening tactic was viewed by the hockey elite as a violation of hockey’s unwritten code of ethics. After the play, the National Hockey League hastily banned the maneuver. After the playoffs, the Dallas Stars offered Sean Avery a four year $15.5 million dollar deal.
As a member of the Stars, Avery could not replicate his earlier success. The Stars, like Avery, struggled in the early part of the season. It was under these conditions, Sean Avery stepped up to the microphone. Searching to motivate a languid Dallas Stars team, Sean Avery made fun of star defenseman Dion Phaneuf. After his remarks, the National Hockey League promptly suspended Sean Avery six games and the Dallas Stars suspended Sean Avery indefinitely.
While legitimate debate can occur over if Avery deserved to be suspended by the league; In our modern hypersensitive world of a minor suspension would not have been without merit. The appalling part was length. Mattias Ohlund’s Barry Bonds impression on the back of Mikko Koivu’s leg ( seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa3jGBUIwBs) earned him a lengthy two game suspension. Star forward Alexi Kovalev was not reprimanded at all after his vicious elbow on forward Ryan Hollweg (seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1JyfSQzalg). With these two previous precedents in mind, one cannot help but question whether Sean Avery’s comments was the main reason he was suspended. I cannot help but believe Avery’s previous public spats with Colin Campbell and constant strife with opposing players and not his chauvinistic comments lead to his suspension. As a student of Aristotle, I cannot help but lament the fact the former has clearly influenced the latter. That one man’s career has been ruined and his reputation tarnished because of another mans personal vendetta. These injustices must stop and I cannot help but side with Sean Avery in the grievance filed by the NHL Players Union on his behalf.
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