The Rocky Of Hockey: Claude Lemieux Or Sean Avery?

Sports stories about comeback kids are so common it's a cliche. Think of Rocky, and Rocky II, III, IV, V, and Rocky Balboa. And then think about Claude Lemieux and Sean Avery.

The Boston Herald says that if wasn't Claude Lemieux we’re talking about, fans across North America and the hockey playing world would be inspired by the story of the 43-year-old’s seemingly impossible comeback with the San Jose Sharks.

Some would say the same about Sean Avery.

Stephen Harris, writing in the Herald, says Lemieux is one of the most hated players in memory because of a lot of cheap shots during his 20-year career, especially on Bruins' icon Cam Neely.

Avery was voted the most hated player in the NHL a little while ago. 

Lemieux's comeback, via the China Sharks, sounds more made up than the plot of one of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky movies.

Avery's comeback, with the Hartford Wolf Pack, is more plausible. After getting suspended indefinitely from the NHL and then completing the NHL/NHLPA behavioral modification program, Avery will apparently get a second chance to play hockey in the big league.

Avery was suspended by the NHL, and now, his comeback by way of the AHL is the best story in hockey this year.

But which one of them is the Rocky of hockey—Lemieux or Avery?

Rocky was always the underdog, battling big guys like Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T), Ivan Drago, Tommy Gunn, and Mason Dixon.

Dion Phaneuf is 6 ft 3 and 212 lbs.; Chris Pronger, 6-6, 220 lbs.; Mike Komisarek, 6-4, 240 lbs.; Milan Lucic, 6'4" and 220 lbs.; Brent Burns, 6' 5", 219; and
Claude Lemieux is 6 ft 0 in 215 lbs., while Avery is just 5'10", 195 lbs.

By the way, like Avery, Rocky, a.k.a. Sylvester Stallone, is also 5'10".

I know hockey violence is politically incorrect in the new NHL but hockey fights are up, apparently, and I'm wondering if there's a hockey fan somewhere who doesn't want to see Avery and Lemieux go toe-to-toe to determine who gets bragging rights as the Rocky of Hockey.

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