When Sean Avery's pre-planned "sloppy seconds" comment about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert got him kicked out of Dallas Stars

In December 2008, the hockey world was taken aback when Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery made headlines for his attention-seeking antics. Avery made provocative comments that resulted in him receiving a six-game suspension. It effectively ended his tenure with the Stars organization.

During a morning skate at Calgary's Pengrowth Saddledome, Avery deliberately gathered a swarm of media, cameras, and voice recorders. With a clearly rehearsed message in mind, he seized the opportunity to deliver his controversial comment, ensuring that his intention was not lost on anyone.

Sean Avery opened his statement with an innocent tone before making a sexually suggestive comment about another NHL player's significant other.

"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become 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."

Gasps and murmurs swept through the room, eliciting reactions from Dallas players, bystanders, and the media in attendance. It was evident that Avery had entered the room with a clear mission to make a statement that would reverberate throughout the hockey community.

This particular incident stemmed from Avery's previous relationship with actress Elisha Cuthbert. She had been romantically involved with him before dating Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Cuthbert, a well-known Calgary native with a love for hockey, had garnered attention for her associations with NHL players. The love triangle involving Avery, Cuthbert, and Phaneuf had captured headlines in the past, making Avery's 'sloppy seconds' comment more provocative.

The aftermath of Sean Avery's comment was swift and significant. The NHL took immediate action, suspending him indefinitely for his disrespectful and inappropriate remarks. The league made it clear that his behavior would not be tolerated, emphasizing the importance of respect and professionalism both on and off the ice.

An Overview of Sean Avery's Personal Life

Sean Avery, a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, was born on April 10, 1980. Throughout his NHL career, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars.

However, he gained infamy for his controversial behavior both on and off the ice. His agitating playing style led to multiple teams growing tired and moving on from him. He led the league in penalty minutes during the 2003-04 and 2005-06 NHL seasons.

Following his retirement in 2012, Sean Avery shifted his focus to the creative industry. He pursued various endeavors such as acting, modeling, and owning restaurants. He briefly worked as an assistant at Vogue magazine and appeared in multiple Hollywood movies, including the 2016 film Patriots Day and the 2020 film Tenet.