Where Sean Avery's Arrest Ranks Among His Worst Decisions as an NHL Player

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Over the course of his nine years in the NHL, Sean Avery has made a name for himself by being a pest. In fact, he's one of the most hated players in the league for his on-ice antics.

At the beginning of the summer, it looked like Avery might be changing his reputation. In May, a PSA was released where Avery announced his support of same-sex marriage, as part of the "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign."

However, news about Avery this week has taken him a few steps back.

First, former teammate on the Los Angeles Kings and New York Ranger Alexander Frolov allegedly told a Russian reporter that Avery would call opponents "black monkeys" on the ice.

If that news wasn't bad enough, Avery was arrested earlier this morning for allegedly shoving a police officer who responded to noise complaints coming from Avery's Hollywood home.

In light of this week's Avery news, we decided to rank his worst decisions as an NHL player.

4. "The Avery Rule"

Sean Avery is notorious for the way he once screened New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur. Instead of the typical back to goalie, blocking his sight screen, Avery decided to face Brodeur and wave his stick in front of Brodeur's face to distract him.

In theory, this wasn't a bad decision. After all, there was nothing in the rules that prevented Avery from screening in that way.

However, it was just another instance to add to Avery's poor reputation among opposing players.

Plus, the league then came up with a rule to prevent further screenings like Avery's—thus dubbed "The Avery Rule."

3. Arrest

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Sean Avery was arrested just after 1 a.m. at his Hollywood home, a LAPD spokesperson told the media.

Officers responded to noise complaints at the NHL agitator's home, stemming from loud music. The officers knocked at the door; Avery allegedly answered, shoved one officer and slammed the door.

Avery was arrested for battery of a police officer, the LAPD said, but was released after bailing out. Multiple media outlets are reporting that his bail was set at $20,000.

This news is just the latest bad publicity for Avery and doesn't help his image.

It will be interesting to see how his team, the New York Rangers, and the league react to this news.

2. Racial Slurs

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Sean Avery has been accused of using racial slurs in his chirping for years.

First, he targeted French-Canadian players after French-Canadian Denis Gauthier hit teammate Jeremy Roenick, causing a concussion.

"[It's] typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on. [French Canadians who wear visors] don't back anything up," Avery said.

The NHL called Avery's comments "insensitive and inappropriate" and threatened subsequent discipline for future comments like that.

Then, enforcer Georges Laraque accused Avery of calling him "a monkey" after refusing to fight Laraque. Avery said Laraque made the whole thing up. This resulted in no discipline because of the lack of evidence.

This week, we learned that Avery might have said that after all. Avery's former teammate, Alexander Frolov, spoke to a Russian reporter about Avery and was quoted as saying that Avery often called opponents "black monkeys."

However, Frolov now denies saying this, claiming that he was misquoted.

1. "Sloppy Seconds" Remarks

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Perhaps what Sean Avery will most be remembered for are remarks he made about his ex-girlfriends.

In the past, Avery dated model Rachel Hunter and actress Elisha Cuthbert. Hunter then went on to date Jarret Stoll and Cuthbert went on to date Dion Phaneuf.

Before a game against Phaneuf's Calgary Flames, Avery, then with the Dallas Stars, called a reporter and cameraman over, announcing that he'd like to make a statement.

"I'm just going to say one thing. I'm really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada. I just wanted 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."

The league immediately suspended Avery indefinitely, citing his conduct as "detrimental to the league and game of hockey."

Even though Avery eventually made his way back into the league, his "sloppy seconds" comment will live on in infamy.