Brett Hull Press Conference 12/5/08

Bettman says Avery was warned; then crossed line

Holland: 'Avery hasn't matured'

NHL Hour 12/4/08

Mike Heika on NHL Live! 12/4/08

> NEW YORK -- The verdict is in, and Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery will be sitting out a little while longer for the inappropriate comments he made earlier this week.

The National Hockey League announced Friday morning that Avery has been suspended for six games without pay, retroactive to Tuesday's game in Calgary, as a result of the comments he made Tuesday morning after the his team’s morning skate at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Avery also agreed to seek professional anger-management evaluation and, if necessary, structured counseling in light of his pattern of behavior, which the NHL has deemed unacceptable and antisocial.

Avery will not be eligible to play again for the Stars until Dec. 16, when Dallas hosts the Phoenix Coyotes. He already has served two games of the suspension, Tuesday’s game against Calgary and Wednesday’s game against Edmonton.

"Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "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."

The League said the suspension was issued in accordance with the provisions of By-Law 17 and Article 6 of the NHL Constitution for conduct "detrimental to the League or game of hockey." The suspension was imposed following inappropriate public comments about the personal lives of opposing players, and not pertaining to the game.

"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," Bettman said. "Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, requiring a high standard of personal behavior. Mr. Avery forfeits that privilege for six games."

The decision to suspend Avery comes less than 24 hours after the player had a hearing inside the NHL's Manhattan offices Wednesday.

Avery met with Bettman, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, NHL Associate Counsel Jessica Berman, Dallas co-General Manager Brett Hull, NHLPA General Counsel Ian Penny, NHLPA Director of Player Affairs Glenn Healy and Pat Morris, Avery's agent.

The meeting lasted 92 minutes and Avery left without talking to the media, which was stationed outside the building for most of the day.

Avery was suspended indefinitely by the NHL following the remarks he made Tuesday morning in reference to Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who currently is dating Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert.

Avery will miss the Stars' three-game homestand, which begins tonight against Colorado and continues Wednesday against Phoenix and next Friday against Detroit. He also will miss the Dec. 13 game in Nashville.

More details to come.

Contact Dan Rosen at drosen@nhl.com

Author: Dan Rosen | NHL.com Staff Writer