Sean Avery is making headlines again, and the recent "sloppy seconds" incident has become an all-consuming topic of discussion for fans and media. Is all the attention necessary, or does it just fuel sensationalism?
Sean Avery has done it again. With a single calculated act he once more managed to overshadow the game of hockey with attention-seeking antics, and this time it has resulted in his indefinite suspension from the NHL.
Following a morning skate at Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome before Tuesday’s Stars-Flames match-up, outspoken Dallas forward Sean Avery went out of his way to gather a herd of cameras, voice recorders, and other media before reciting an obviously rehearsed message:
***SEAN AVERY'S COMMENT 2/Dec/2008***
"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada. 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."
It was clear Avery entered the room intending to make the comment. Gasps and murmurs could be heard from Dallas players and other bystanders as he made his statement, and a reporter asked afterwards: "Is there going to be more of that on the ice tonight?" Avery simply walked out the door.
He waited for TSN and other big-name cameras to arrive before starting his message. The intention was too transparent for the NHL's liking.
Calgary-born actress Elisha Cuthbert has been dating Flames d-man Dion Phaneuf since early 2008, and was previously involved with NHLers such as Montreal’s Mike Komasarik and the aforementioned Avery. Cuthbert and not-so-subtle Sean went their separate ways in 2007, but the former 24 starlet has long been associated with the game. The actress has stated that she "loves hockey players", and once had her own blog on www.nhl.com. Her interest in hockey players has become infamous. This is not the first time the Avery/Cuthbert/Phaneuf triangle has had publicity, and is not the only love-fiasco in the current Grate One’s life; Avery ex Rachel Hunter is engaged to LA King/former Edmonton Oiler Jarret Stoll.
The NHL believes Sean Avery’s confrontational comment contradicts their bylaws:
***NHL PRESS RELEASE-2/Dec/2008***
"Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in accordance with the provisions of NHL 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, not pertaining to the game, made by Avery earlier today."
The NHL statement was made just hours after Avery's announcement.
Though just one of many inflammatory Avery incidents over the past few years, it was the “sloppy seconds” remark coupled with such apparent premeditation and publicity that pushed this one over the edge. Had these comments been made privately in the locker room, or been chirped down the boards in a game, consequence may have been limited to an altercation on the ice. Had Avery used different language, it would be just another charged comment. The image-inducing connotations of the phrase “sloppy seconds” used in public to describe someone outside of hockey has now been defined as “the line”, and Avery it’s pioneer. No one expects pro-players to be angels, but even today it's considered poor taste and bad sportsmanship to publicly call out an ex or a fellow player and make blatantly obscene references.
Of course, the NHL and the Dallas Stars also want to protect themselves, as each has been working tirelessly to revitalise public image. This is what happens when Avery mixes things up: fans watch to see how far his team will distance itself, or cover for him. The Stars have already made statements condemning his conduct, including the comment that had the NHL not suspended Avery, the team would have.
"This [Dallas Stars] organisation will not tolerate such behaviour, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."
The Stars are already battling through a disappointing first-quarter, and the League cannot afford to have any preconceptions of barbarity in hockey cemented in the minds of the public.
Overall, the official response from NHL professionals has been in support of the lengthy suspension. Team-mates have denounced Avery for his display of public classlessness, as has the League, the Stars organisation, and the media. Dallas players Mike Modano and Marty Turco were particularly vocal, as were many of Phaneuf’s Calgary team-mates. Flames forward Craig Conroy, quoted by local media, was critical of his former LA team-mate but not surprised, and felt Avery’s attempts at “humour” had finally gone too far:
“He probably thought it was funny and the League, the Dallas Stars and nobody thought it was funny…. If he would have said it on the ice, who cares? To say it in the media is uncalled for and uncalled for for her.”
"Unfortunately, you don't know what the right words are when ignorant comments are made, such as that this morning,” was Turco’s comment to media following the eventual 3-1 Dallas victory at the ‘Dome. The floundering Stars worked through the media scrutiny and recorded their first pair of back-to-back wins this season.
The main targets of the verbal assault were tight-lipped; Phaneuf, a typically private man, made a short statement to local news sources:
“I thought it was a very distasteful comment and the league took action, and I definitely agree with the way they took action.”
Cuthbert’s people did not return the media's calls, and have not yet responded to the incident.
There has been so much coverage that most of these facts were common knowledge within hours of Avery's strangely rehearsed blunder. There are few new ideas or opinions left to explore. At this point, the attention the incident has garnered is bigger than the event itself.
Even with the disrespectful nature of the comment and media support of the NHL’s decision, this suspension will remain extremely controversial. After just a few hours it had already been debated and disseminated in the media and sports-bars of North America. There's disagreement, dissent, and a feeling of disgust, in either Avery, the NHL, or the situation. One thing is certain, this single incident has caused more excitement among fans and media than anything else in hockey this year.
Indeed, I was hesitant to file my own article, as the floodgates have opened and sports pages are already overwhelmed with comment and opinion on this one irrelevent occurence. The sheer quantity of conflicting perspectives changed my mind, as there are too many opinions to ignore. It seems everyone has something to say about it.
Some say the suspension is a personal retaliation by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for Avery’s past criticisms of his office, or that this was simply the latest and worst of Avery’s ever-mounting pile of public infractions. Many feel the reprimand was a long-time coming, while many others believe it’s an overreaction that could lead to other things, such as further censorship and personality-stifling. Fans on either side of the argument wonder if justice wouldn’t have been better served by allowing him to play and accepting his punishment on the ice.
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