Sean Christopher Avery (born April 10, 1980) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey player and actor. During his career in the National Hockey League (NHL), he played left wing for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars, gaining recognition for controversial and disrespectful behaviour both on and off the ice. His agitating playing style led to multiple teams waiving him and to having a contract terminated. He led the league in penalty minutes twice, during the 2003–04 and 2005–06 NHL seasons.
After retiring in 2012, Avery focused full-time on working in the creative industry. He has worked in fashion as an intern at Vogue magazine, as a model, as an actor, and as a restaurateur. Avery's memoir, Ice Capades: A Memoir of Fast Living and Tough Hockey, was published by Blue Rider Press in 2017. He hosted a weekly podcast, No Gruffs Given with Sean Avery from December 2019 to 2022. Avery's acting roles include as Bob Dill in The Rocket (2005), and would make appearances in several Christopher Nolan films including Tenet (2020), Oppenheimer (2023), and The Odyssey (2026).
Early life Avery was born in North York, Ontario, the son of Al and Marlene Avery, both teachers.Curt Sampson, "Sean Avery: Dressed to Kill", D Magazine, November 2008. He grew up in Pickering, Ontario,John Dellapina, "Sean Avery: Can’t stand Toronto," New York Daily News, December 27, 2007. where he attended Dunbarton High School. He has a younger brother named Scott.
Playing career
Junior league (1996–2000) Prior to joining the NHL, Avery played for the Owen Sound Platers and the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Detroit Red Wings (2001–2003) Avery was signed by the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent in 1999. He played one final season in the OHL before turning professional in 2000 with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League (AHL). Avery first played in the NHL during the 2001–02 season, playing 36 games with the Red Wings and 36 in the minors. The Red Wings went on to win the Stanley Cup that season but Avery did not play in the playoffs nor did he play the required 41 games to get his name engraved on the Cup.
Midway through the 2002–03 season, Avery was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, along with defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov and two draft picks for Mathieu Schneider.Mike Brehm, "Red Wings acquire Schneider from Kings," USA Today, March 11, 2003. He finished the season with 15 points in 51 games.
Los Angeles Kings and NHL lockout (2003–2007)
In 2003–04, Avery played 76 games for the Kings, scoring 9 goals to go along with 19 assists. He also led the NHL in penalty minutes with 261.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Avery briefly played in the Finnish Elite League with the Lahti Pelicans, and in the United Hockey League for the Motor City Mechanics. Along with 149 penalty minutes in just 16 games, he tallied 26 points for the Mechanics, including two hat tricks, making him the first player in Mechanics history to record two hat tricks in one season. Several players spoke publicly of their dissatisfaction with the NHL Players' Association’s leadership during the lockout, including Avery, who publicly blamed NHLPA president Bob Goodenow for wasting an entire season with a battle that alienated fans and yielded few results.
Avery led the league in penalty minutes for the second consecutive season in 2005-06, with 257. With three games remaining, the Kings unofficially suspended Avery for the remainder of the season after he refused to do a drill in practice. Nevertheless, the team re-signed him to a one-year deal.Chris Foster, "Avery Gets One-Year Kings Deal," Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2006.
During his time with the Kings, Avery has been said to have mocked Dustin Brown about his lisp. Former Kings' teammate Ian Laperrière said it "was bullying, like you might see in high school". But according to other players and coaches, Brown's lisp was not Avery's target; Brown's then girlfriend, now wife, Nicole was. Avery did not think Nicole was glamorous enough to be a "girlfriend of a hockey player in Hollywood."
New York Rangers (2007–2008)
On February 5, 2007, in the middle of the 2006–07 season, Avery was traded to the New York Rangers. After joining the Rangers, he scored 20 points in 29 games to help the team complete a 17–4–6 end-of-season run to qualify for the playoffs. On March 17, Avery recorded a single-game career-high four points (one goal and three assists) against the Boston Bruins in a 7–0 victory. Avery played in his first career playoff game on April 12 against the Atlanta Thrashers, recording his first playoff points with a goal and an assist."Avery, Shanahan give Rangers 2-0 series lead," CBC Sports, April 14, 2007.
On August 1, 2007, Avery, as a restricted free agent, earned an arbitration award of $1.9 million for the 2007–08 season, which the Rangers accepted."Rangers re-sign LW Sean Avery after arbitrator awards him $1.9 million salary," ESPN, August 1, 2007.
On February 16, 2008, in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, Avery scored 10 seconds into the game, setting a record for fastest goal scored by a Ranger on home ice.
Dallas Stars (2008) Avery signed a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 2008."Stars Sign Sean Avery," stars.nhl.com, July 2, 2008. In December 2008, the NHL suspended Avery after he made controversial remarks about other players dating his ex-girlfriends. After serving a six-game suspension and completing a counseling program, the Stars placed Avery on waivers on February 7, 2009."Stars place left winger Avery on waivers," ESPN, February 7, 2009."Stars Assign Avery to Rangers’ AHL Affiliate in Hartford," TSN, February 10, 2009.
Return to the Rangers (2009–2012)
After clearing waivers on February 9, 2009, Avery was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers' AHL affiliate, although he remained a member of the Stars organization (that season, the Stars had no AHL affiliate).Stars send Avery to Hartford ESPN, February 10, 2009 On March 2, Avery was placed on re-entry waivers by Dallas, and claimed by the Rangers the following day."Rangers take Avery off waivers," ESPN, March 3, 2009. On January 5, 2010, in a game against the Stars, his former team, Avery recorded one goal and three assists.Jeff Z. Klein, "Avery Comes Alive Against the Stars, His Ex-Team," The New York Times, January 6, 2010.
On October 4, 2011, the Rangers waived Avery. He later cleared waivers and re-joined the Rangers for their November 5 game against the Montreal Canadiens. After being a healthy scratch for nine games, Avery was once again placed on waivers on December 30, 2011. Since no NHL team claimed him, he returned to the AHL's Connecticut Whale.Sean Avery clears waivers. espn.com (December 31, 2011). His last game played with the Whale was on January 27, 2012. He was left off the Whale's Clear Day list of players eligible to play for the remainder of the AHL season submitted on March 5, and told to no longer report to games or practices.Katie Strang, "AHL’s Whale done with Sean Avery," ESPN, March 6, 2012.
On March 12, 2012, Avery retired. He announced his retirement on Watch What Happens Live with host Andy Cohen.Katie Strang, "Sean Avery talks retirement," ESPN, March 13, 2012.
Orlando Solar Bears (2022)
On February 23, 2022, the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL signed Avery to a standard player contract, putting him on the team's reserve list. Orlando released him two days later. Avery did not play in a game for the Solar Bears.
Controversies and bullying During and after his hockey career, Avery has been involved in a number of controversies. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he traded Avery during the 2002–03 season because he did not live up to the standards of an NHL professional.Rosen, Dan; and Adam Kimelman. Holland: "Avery hasn't matured". NHL.com, 2008-12-05. Avery has bullied people including Dustin Brown and Martin Brodeur.
Leukemia comments In November 2007, an unnamed Rangers player accused Avery of making inappropriate comments about Toronto Maple Leafs player Jason Blake's diagnosis with leukemia during a pre-game fight with Darcy Tucker. Avery denied these allegations, citing two family losses to cancer and his involvement with cancer charities, including Hockey Fights Cancer. The NHL responded by fining Avery $2,500, Tucker $1,000, the Rangers $25,000, and the Leafs $10,000."Did Sean Avery Make Comments About Jason Blake’s Fight With Cancer?", CityNews, November 13, 2007.
The Avery Rule
During game three of the 2008 Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the New Jersey Devils, Avery turned his back on the play to face and screen Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur during a two-man advantage on the power play. He waved his hands and stick in front of Brodeur to distract him and block his view. The puck was later cleared out of the Devils' zone but on the second Rangers offensive attack, Avery scored a power play goal.
Avery spent the initial part of the play facing Brodeur while ignoring the puck, with his back to the play (normally, the player screening the goaltender is facing the play). The following day, the NHL issued an interpretation of the league's unsportsmanlike conduct rule to cover actions such as the one employed by Avery, which would now result in a minor penalty. This became known colloquially as "The Avery Rule".Allen Salkin, "The Demon on His Shoulder," The New York Times, March 27, 2009.
Avery's tactics during that series earned multiple power plays, and he recorded three goals and two assists in the series, which the Rangers won in five games. His tactics were ineffective in the 2008 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Avery dropped from the lineup after the Rangers lost the first three games, enroute to elimination from the playoffs in five games.
Heckling incident
On November 1, 2008, following a game with the Stars against the Boston Bruins, Avery was accused of shouting obscenities at a fan who had been heckling him during the game. A report of complaint was filed with the NHL, but no action was taken.Scott Burnside, "Isolated incident? No, Avery’s career has been defined by indiscretions," ESPN, December 3, 2008.
"Sloppy seconds" comment On December 2, 2008, prior to the Stars' morning skate in preparation for a game against the Calgary Flames, Avery approached the assembled reporters in the dressing room and stated, "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, but enjoy the game tonight." At the time, two of Avery's ex-girlfriends were dating fellow NHL players: actress Elisha Cuthbert was dating Flames defenceman (and future husband) Dion Phaneuf, while model Rachel Hunter was dating Kings centre Jarret Stoll."Controversial incidents involving Sean Avery", CBS Sports, November 13, 2007."Avery to sit 6 games for controversial remark," CBC Sports, December 5, 2008.
Within hours, the NHL suspended Avery indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the league or the game of hockey". His comments were met with near-unanimous condemnation by the Stars organization, fellow players, and fans alike. Stars owner Tom Hicks said that the team would have suspended Avery had the NHL not acted first. Avery apologized the next day, calling his actions "inappropriate" and "a bad attempt to build excitement for the game".Stars LW Avery issues apology for televised comments about ex-girlfriends. Associated Press via ESPN; 2008-12-04.