Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars have assigned outspoken left Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars have assigned outspoken left wing Sean Avery to Hartford of the American Hockey League. wing Sean Avery to Hartford of the American Hockey League.
Hartford is the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, who have expressed an Hartford is the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, who have expressed an interest in bringing Avery back to the NHL team for which he spent the past 1 interest in bringing Avery back to the NHL team for which he spent the past 1 1/2 seasons. 1/2 seasons.
"I would like to thank Glen Sather and the Rangers organization for giving me "I would like to thank Glen Sather and the Rangers organization for giving me the chance to resume my hockey career by affording me this opportunity with the chance to resume my hockey career by affording me this opportunity with the Hartford Wolf Pack," Avery said in a statement. "I am looking forward to the Hartford Wolf Pack," Avery said in a statement. "I am looking forward to getting back on the ice, working my way back to the NHL and playing the game I getting back on the ice, working my way back to the NHL and playing the game I love. While I appreciate the many interview requests, at this point in time, I love. While I appreciate the many interview requests, at this point in time, I would like to focus on hockey and will not be making any further statements would like to focus on hockey and will not be making any further statements while with the Wolf Pack." while with the Wolf Pack."
Avery, who cleared waivers on Monday, was suspended by the NHL for six games, Avery, who cleared waivers on Monday, was suspended by the NHL for six games, without pay, following comments he made prior to a contest in Calgary in early without pay, following comments he made prior to a contest in Calgary in early December regarding his ex-girlfriends dating other hockey players. He December regarding his ex-girlfriends dating other hockey players. He subsequently agreed to undergo anger management treatment and the Stars subsequently agreed to undergo anger management treatment and the Stars essentially washed their hands of him, speaking out publicly against the essentially washed their hands of him, speaking out publicly against the incident and Avery himself. incident and Avery himself.
The 28-year-old antagonist is in the first year of a four-year, $15.5 million The 28-year-old antagonist is in the first year of a four-year, $15.5 million deal he signed with Dallas as a free agent in the offseason. He remains deal he signed with Dallas as a free agent in the offseason. He remains property of the Stars, for now. property of the Stars, for now.
Prior to the incident, Avery had three goals and seven assists with 77 penalty Prior to the incident, Avery had three goals and seven assists with 77 penalty minutes in 23 contests. minutes in 23 contests.
Last season for the Rangers, he tallied 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points Last season for the Rangers, he tallied 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points to go along with 154 penalty minutes in 57 games. to go along with 154 penalty minutes in 57 games.
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"Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked "Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked extremely hard off the ice over the last two months," said Rangers president extremely hard off the ice over the last two months," said Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather. "Sean and the Dallas Stars approached me and general manager Glen Sather. "Sean and the Dallas Stars approached me looking for an American Hockey League team for him to resume playing, and I am looking for an American Hockey League team for him to resume playing, and I am happy to provide him with the opportunity to continue his career." happy to provide him with the opportunity to continue his career."
For his career, the Pickering, Ontario native has totaled 68 goals and 109 For his career, the Pickering, Ontario native has totaled 68 goals and 109 assists with 1,144 penalty minutes while appearing in 402 games with Detroit, assists with 1,144 penalty minutes while appearing in 402 games with Detroit, Los Angeles, the Rangers and Dallas. Los Angeles, the Rangers and Dallas.
