NEW YORK (AFP) — Dallas Stars left wing Sean Avery was suspended six games without pay by the National Hockey League on Friday after agreeing to seek a professional anger management evaluation.
The punishment comes one day after the 28-year-old Canadian met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and other league officials regarding an indefinite ban for inappropriate comments he made Tuesday about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert.
Avery apologized after making the comments before a game in Calgary, where Cuthbert's current boyfriend, Dion Phaneuf, plays for the Flames. Avery missed that game and another the next night at Edmonton.
Avery has agreed to anger management counseling if necessary after what the league's announcement of the suspension dubbed "a pattern of unacceptable and antisocial behavior".
"Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation," Bettman said.
"I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations.
"Mr. Avery has been warned repeatedly about his conduct and comments, which have too often been at odds with the manner in which his more than 700 fellow players conduct themselves.
"Playing in the NHL is a privilege, requiring a high standard of personal behavior. Mr. Avery forfeits that privilege for six games."
The suspension comes under NHL rules for conduct detrimental to the sport and includes two games already missed plus games Friday against Colorado, Wednesday against Phoenix, next Friday against Detroit and December 13 against Nashville.
Avery, who will be eligible to return December 16 when the Stars play Phoenix, signed a four-year deal with the Stars this year worth 15 million dollars. He has scored three goals in 23 games this season.
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