Nasty Boy of the NHL

Los Angeles Kings forward Sean Avery has become one of the most talked-about players in the NHL. His super-pest play and no-holds barred comments have earned him more media coverage than most politicians, not to mention a bull’s eye target on his back for many opposing NHL players. Here’s a look at what’s been getting Avery headlines so far this season: Early October: Avery raises ire around the league, especially among French Canadian players, for his comments about a hit on teammate Jeremy Roenick by Phoenix defenceman Denis Gauthier. The hit “was typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not backing anything up,” Avery said. Oct. 15: Denies making racial slur against Edmonton enforcer George Laraque, who is black. Laraque doesn’t back down from his claim, but the league does not investigate. Nov. 5: In Nashville, Avery is attacked by Darcy Hordichuk after he pastes Paul Kariya into the end boards. Later, after bleeding all over the ice, he calls Kariya the biggest diver in the NHL, and claims Hordichuk shouldn’t be in the NHL because he lacks the necessary skills. Nov. 16: Becomes the first player this year to be fined for diving — $1,000 — and receives an additional one grand in fines for his comments about the league afterwards. Nov. 16: Not finished just yet, Avery takes a shot at NHLPA members on the competition committee over the diving fine. He calls the whole thing “a ( expletive) joke,” and belittles the likes of Jarome Iginla and Brendan Shanahan. Dec. 2: Sparks melees in Ottawa that result in a war of words between coaches, a one-game suspension for Zdeno Chara, and $10,000 in fines for Senators coach Bryan Murray. Dec. 3: Plays in Montreal, marking his first appearance in Quebec since the Gauthier remarks. Fans are all over him, and he takes a heavy hit from Canadiens defenceman Mathieu Dandenault, who later admits he and other French Canadian players are looking for “clean” payback on Avery.