By the reaction of his teammates, his coach and the team owner when Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery was first suspended by the NHL commissioner, don't expect a warm reception when he returns to the team Dec. 16.

In fact, don't expect him to necessarily return at all.

It's pretty clear the team from the owner on down doesn't care too much for the loudmouth, attention-seeking bad boy.

"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," said Stars owner Tom Hicks said in a statement Tuesday when Avery was first suspended indefinitely. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."

Normally a team comes to the aid of its players, appeals suspensions and tries to keep them on the ice -- especially when the infraction has nothing to do with the game.

But Avery, who signed a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the Stars in July, doesn't have friends on this team.

And why should he? Would you be his friend?

1 Comments

Ralph Rhodes said:

The Dallas Stars have always had a class organization and aquiring Avery was a mistake from the beginning. His past paints a clear picture and there have been to many repeat performances so why give him another chance to embarrass not only club, teamates but our city as well. Maybe he should see if Jerry Springer will take him on as a regular... I support Dave Tippett's remarks and think he is a class act....

December 5, 2008 10:51 AM

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