When Sean Avery and Hilary Rhoda first met at a bar and instantly hit it off

Sean Avery and Hilary Rhoda first met at a bar and instantly hit it off. The couple tied the knot at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, NY on October 10, 2015. They met at Warren 77, a restaurant co-owned by Avery, in the summer of 2009.

Rhoda is a model from Chevy Chase, Maryland who is represented by modeling agency IMG Models. She was born on April 6, 1978 to parents Jeffrey and Marianne Rhoda. Hilary has worked with high-profile fashion brands such as Abercrombie and Hollister. She has also made several appearances in Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues.

Sean Avery, on the other hand, played 10 NHL seasons with seasons with four teams, including the New York Rangers, from 2001-2012. After retiring from hockey, he bought, rehabilitated, and sold houses in the Hamptons through his company, Weekapaug Groove. He also appeared as a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars” in 2014.

Despite Avery’s busy schedule, he and Rhoda started dating shortly after meeting at Warren 77. They attended concerts and festivals in England and the United States, including the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee.

Both are sports and fitness buffs. Rhoda played field hockey and basketball when she was in high school. In an interview with Hamptons magazine, Avery shared that he was instantly smitten when he saw Rhoda walk into the bar.

“That’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and I’m going to marry her,” he told his buddy.

Avery proposed to Rhoda on one knee at his SoHo apartment in November 2013. Avery had been carrying around an engagement ring for a while, and felt it was finally time to pop the question.

“Hilary has a large heart and is the most caring, trustworthy, and loyal person,” he said. “And right up there is her amazing work ethic. I admire that.”

When Sean Avery got arrested days before his wedding

Sean Avery, a former NHL hockey player, made headlines days before his wedding to Hilary Rhoda. He was arrested on September 30, 2015 after being pulled over during a traffic stop in Southampton, New York. Police found oxycodone and Roxicodone in his car.

The incident could have put a damper on the couple's big day, but they remained committed to each other and their wedding plans. Avery's lawyer said in published reports that his client had prescriptions for both medications.

Despite the unexpected setback, Sean Avery and Rhoda's wedding went ahead as planned on October 10, 2015. The couple exchanged their vows in a ceremony led by Larissa Martell.

The bride and groom had a laid-back reception on the museum's terrace, with a DJ spinning tunes for their 100 guests. The couple remained focused on celebrating their love and the start of their new chapter together. The incident didn't seem to have a negative impact on their relationship.

However, Hilary Rhoda and Sean Avery's partnership did not last. Rhoda filed for divorce in July 2022, citing "irreconciable differences."