WHEN AVERY ATTACKS: Confrontation with Snow, racial taunts at Nolan showed the dark side
Before the six-game suspension was handed down to Sean Avery, I wrote that I had personally seen enough of his disturbing act to wonder if it was “time the NHL, PA, the Stars and Avery himself investigated whether something is seriously wrong with the guy.” Now that they are, allow me to fill in the blanks.
It’s September 24, 2007 and the Islanders and Rangers have completed a nasty exhibition game at Nassau Coliseum that’s remembered for a fight between goalies Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya. The game has been over for more than 30 minutes. Most of the players from both teams have left the arena. Standing in the locker room hallway at this point are me, a Rangers colleague, Islanders GM Garth Snow and Rangers right wing Brendan Shanahan.
Sean Avery walks by and sees Snow and Shanahan talking. Although Avery did not play in the game, he cannot resist getting involved. “Way to go, Snow,” Avery yells. “Yeah, you’re bleepin’ awesome. Big bleepin’ win for you guys, you ———.”
Shanahan says to his own teammate, “You’re kidding, right”? and tells Avery to continue walking. Avery ignores Shanahan, draws nearer and says something unprintable again to the general manager.
Snow – a bit of a hot-head in his goalie days – is in a tough spot. As much as he may want to, as a GM he can’t throw rights with Avery in his business suit 30 minutes after a game in an arena hallway. No matter who’s the instigator, Snow would be suspended for a long time. But he decides he can’t just stand there as Avery gets closer and closer to his face.
So Snow suggests that Avery listen to Shanahan and continue walking…but can’t hold back a parting shot: “That’s what you’re best at, Sean. Talking (crap) while you run away and let everyone else fight your battles.”
Avery, now looking like an eighth-grader at the flagpole who knows the other guy can’t fight, tells Snow, “I’m standing right here, you ————-. Let’s go.”
(After the preseason game when DiPietro and Montoya fought, Avery tried to start a fight with Garth Snow)
Shanahan, exasperated because he thought his baby-sitting duties were over for the night, orders Avery to leave the Coliseum immediately. Avery screams a few more inane insults, turns around and leaves.
A Rangers player later tells me, “Welcome to our world.”
Two things shocked me about the incident. I knew Avery was off-center, but always figured the sideshow routine was just a role he played at the rink and for the cameras. During this confrontation, the media were gone from the hallway and there was no one around to entertain. The look in Avery’s eyes told me there was a whole lot more going on with this man.
But what surprised me more at the time was the Rangers’ reaction. As I’ve written, the NHL is a league where the teams take the mantra of you’re-on-our-side-or-you’re-not to cult-like levels. When Rangers higher-ups went out of their way to find Snow and apologize for Avery’s behavior, you realized how seriously out-of-control he must have been for a while. One VIP with the Rangers approached Snow, shook his hand, asked for his understanding and said, “Now you know what I deal with every day.”
When Gary Bettman said on Friday that Avery had been repeatedly warned by the NHL that he was close to “crossing the line,” this may have been one of the precedents. Maybe the commisioner was also referring to Avery’s habit of skating by the Islanders bench and taunting Ted Nolan with profane insults about his First Nations ancestry.
The difference between insulting an ex-girlfriend and making racist remarks about the First Nations community to an opposing coach? A TSN camera, I guess. Either way, the incidents with Snow and Nolan may explain in part the 6-game suspension and why – if Avery is not healed of whatever may ail him – the next one will be a lot longer.
ETC: When the Islanders’ charter left Farmingdale this afternoon, it carried the same squad that played in last night’s home loss to Atlanta. It appears there will be no roster moves prior to the game Monday night in Toronto.
Reaction to this story in Comments. The discussion about last night’s Islanders loss and the upcoming road trip continues in the previous thread.
67 Responses to WHEN AVERY ATTACKS: Confrontation with Snow, racial taunts at Nolan showed the dark side
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kevin says:
averys an ass and i wish snow handed him what should be coming to him. good for shanahan. he was probably the lone ranger i like.
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I was there for that. I was in the press box for that game, to learn the “ropes” so to speak for the upcoming season. I passed by Garth who had just started to talk to Shanny, and passed Sean Avery in the hallway. The glare in his eyes aimed at Garth were like daggers.
I heard them say something back and forth, but I was already on my way out on the other side, up the stairs.
My money would have been on Garth. Avery isn’t exactly impressive… besides his mouth.
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This site is amazing! 2 of the top 3 Isles coverage guys giving us even more of a reason to think that Avery is a complete scumbag! I hope he never gets to play in the NHL again, he doesnt deserve it.
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Dallas MacDonald says:
I had no idea he was saying stuff to Nolan. Why wasn’t he punished by the league then. Chris Simon says a racial slur and he gets suspended. Avery blantantly says it on the bench to Nolan and nothing. Maybe Nolan did have a point about why he spent 10 years unable to find a job in NHl. Double standard maybe. What a joke.
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Isles fan in CA says:
Thanks CB!! It gives the NHL fan some inside insight is to what is REALLY going on. I thought the whole Avery thing was being over-hyped until I read your post.
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isles19 says:
I believe there will be sunstance abuse issue behind this as well. I know people that have been around him in NYC.
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On Edge says:
A well known dirtbag. He will get his one day I’m sure. Avery is a coward as well…dosn’t have the ya-ya’s to back up his big mouth. I have to give Snow credit for keeping his cool as well as props to the Rags for reaching out to him to apologize. Class move.
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andy says:
ha! what a classless POS. Hope this scumbag never plays in the NHL again!
great insight, CB.
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
Isn’t Nolan a boxer? If he did say something to him that would be pretty gutsy.
There is something wrong with Avery, and even though I can’t stand the Rangers I knew that they would eventually get tired of him also.
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Strummer's Army says:
I am not surprised by this story. Nice to hear it though. I wonder if the Isles ever brought Avery’s racist remarks against Nolan to the leagues attention? Surely there were enough witnesses, players are often mic’d.
Avery is the next OJ Simpson. Not saying he’ll do the killing but he’ll be one of those athletes who isn’t right in the head and leads a very destructive post career life because hockey is probably the only thing even keeping him half-normal.
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Kristie says:
The guy is a ticking time bomb, glad the NHL has finally come to realize it.
Great work as usual,being stuck in southeast Georgia this is my main source for Isles news.
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JH says:
I believe that the only reason why Avery was not punished would be the same reason he wasn’t punished for calling Laraque a monkey and for saying some pretty nasty things to those fans: there wasn’t any “proof.” Not to say that Laraque isn’t credible, but as Bettman mentioned when asked if those incidents with the fans were part of his decision, when deciding something like that, more solid proof is needed. The cases are otherwise a “he said, she said” type of deal, which isn’t enough to get suspended because Avery can just say that that wasn’t what he said, or that they made things up to make him look bad. However, with this incident, Avery gave Bettman the proof he needed. When there’s both audio AND video, what more do you need? Which begs the question of whether Avery actually thought his little stunt through or if this was really a cry for help.
Personally, I dislike Avery, and this story doesn’t surprise me one hit. He’s a tool.
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StrongIsland says:
This is the ENTIRE reason that the instigator rule needs to go. If he said something like that to me on the ice or insulted my coach I would drop the gloves and beat him down a la Darren McCarty on Claude Lemiuex, and like Claude, Avery would probably turtle and not fight.
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PreOriginal says:
Spitting on women. Fascination with women’s clothing. Having his mother call in sick for him. Inability to hold any long-term relationship with a female. Posturing and prancing for the cameras, seeking out film roles. Extreme fascination with his looks. Narcissism. Hmmm…I think he’s diagnosed.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Awesome behind the scenes CB!!!! Great write up … I felt like I was there … I was hoping Garth had to be restrained… but really.. what can he do? He must of been boiling.
Avery sure proved what a piece of garbage he truly is. I’m surprised that the word wasn’t out already about Avon Avery and that Dallas decided to sign him. He certainly makes no bones about his behavior. Blatant and casual about it. He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic … that is for sure.
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RE: ETC. … Was Logan on the charter? That would of been something after your previous blog topic. -
At least now I know that when Garth said Avery was not the type of player he would go after in free agency, there was a lot more to it.
The racist comments to Nolan should have been made public. Perhaps he wouldn’t have been given another contract.
Go to the KHL Sean.
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Will says:
CB,
First off, love the site. I check it a ton of times during the day, unfortunately during work days I spend too much time reading to be able to post
Anyways, since I don’t have a TSN camera in front of me, I’ll keep from sharing my personal opinions on Avery. When I was reading this post, my first thought was exactly what Justin said about a certain other site saying there was a rumor about Avery becoming an Islander. A rumor is a rumor is a rumor, but I can’t even fathom how that could even be started based on this. My only thought is Avery’s agent ‘leaked’ it just to try and get more $ from the Rangers.
As for the subject at hand, my thought (and maybe hope) is that Avery played this role so much on the ice, perhaps it somehow got into his head and became a switch he couldn’t turn off. Its not an excuse, but a hope that he can be helped.
Sorry if this post was a bit too long, first post so I had a lot to say lol Thanks a lot for the insider info, I love hearing these stories that we fans would have no idea about
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Chris TMC says:
Will on Dec 7th, 2008 18:08:39 said:
“…my thought (and maybe hope) is that Avery played this role so much on the ice, perhaps it somehow got into his head and became a switch he couldn’t turn off…”I think that you could be right with this idea. I dont believe that Avery had this problem at Vogue, and he seemed to have charmed many in the fashion world. I think that Avery just associates this kind of act with hockey so much now that its gotten to the point that he cant even separate them anymore.
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Pat says:
Now I understand why the Rag$ did not re-sign Avery. Wonder if Laurence Brook$ knows about this incident……yet he still kowtows to Avery.
They were talking about this on cbc.ca’s hockey night in Canada – you can see the replay. Mike Milbury basically says its all on Brett Hull for bringing Avery to the Stars and is now back in his camp after a 3 hour ” coming to Jesus” meeting at Bettman’s office where Avery must have cried crocodile tears……and Hullie is buying it.
Lets see what happens – but thanks Chris for writing this story. Interesting take on helping me understand more about Avery. Sorry that Nolan had to listen to his crap. Interesting that Avery can get an NHL job and Shanny can’t seem to.
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Jay says:
are we sure Avery isn’t the reincarnation of ” crack head” theo flury?
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kingbet123 says:
Great insight, CB.
I remember when the Rangers had their last regular season home game a few years ago (jersey off the back night – Isles do it, too)….fans were coming on the ice to get the jerseys. One of the people walking out was a younger boy who was “special”. Avery was with another Ranger (I think Holloweg)at the time and when the camera focused on them, I could’ve sworn that Avery looked and was laughing and pointing.
Speaks volumes that players on the Stars have spoke out.
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Islanders1984 says:
Makes me wonder what he really did say to Jason Blake. Howard Berger had to retract the statement and it was probably true
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James says:
Wow. I think we all hate the Rangers and all Rangers fans hate the Isles but half the fun in all that is knowing it stays on the ice.
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Wow…I’m amazed but I can’t say I’m surprised. At least we know this filth will never wear our uniform.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
I actually wanted Avery this summer as a UFA very happy we did not get him. Kudos to Snow for wanting players with a good head and team players.
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compared to the attempts to take a mans head off as ordered by his coach ..literally take his f in head of ask nielsen this suspension was way tooo harsh.sticks and stones and elbows and cheap hits can kill me but sloppy seconds on my girlfriend will never hurt me
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Joe, I think the point of this article is that this was a stated pattern of behavior that culminated in his suspension. Bettman was on with Mike Francesa on Friday and confirmed he’d warned Avery during the playoffs that if his antics continued and he crossed the line he’d be suspended. It’s still ridiculous that he got more than Mottau did for mugging Nielsen, but to me this was like the criminal who’s on probation and can get thrown back in jail for the smallest mistake.
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beatlebailey says:
Great article…as stated one of the only good things about this season has been this website. We may suck but i truly enjoy reading about the team and this type of story is another example of why this site is so good.
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Eye Lenders says:
Seriously, can/should anyone expect anything more from Avery? Nope
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Miket says:
it makes you wonder why brett hull dropped so much $$ on this guy.
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Jamerson says:
CB: as others have said, this is really great. I have one question. In the earlier incarnation of this blog, I seem to recall that you advocated at least considering bringing Avery to Long Island. If I’m remembering correctly, I wonder why you would have felt that way having seen this side of him. Anyway, thanks again for a great read.
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Daniel says:
Wow. That is really all there is to say about that story. What a nut case. I wish every fan in the NHL could read this. Thanks for that story, it definitely shined a lot of light on the real off the ice Sean Avery.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
I’m not an Avery apologist by any stretch. I used to think he was a player you loved on your team and hated when he was in a different sweater (C.Lemieux, Tikkanen, Flurey, et al).
Just playing Devil’s Advocate here, but I’m sure there are several other players or other team’s management that CB has some “dirt” on, or at the least a story or two that makes them look bad. Just sayin’….
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Neil says:
One wonders if the TSN tape would have seen the light of day had Avery played for a Canadian team.
One wonders if he would have been suspended had he still been a Ranger. I find it impossible to bleieve none of these stories made MSG air without some kind of league and MSG mandated cover-up. Now that he’s on another team, these “revelations” aren’t enlightening. They just insult our intelligence.
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Ryan says:
The post referred to by Jamerson is probably at http://nyipointblank.blogspot.com/2008/06/sean-avery-checklist.html
I’ll admit I’m curious about the same thing. I imagine CB’s answer will be that despite personal differences, if the Sean Avery show is held in check he can be remarkably effective–if not on the ice, then certainly in getting press attention.
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JPinVA says:
Interesting stuff. I wonder if any of that had anything to with the Simon/Hollweg incident, and the racial contrevery that followed the ruutu incident… At least Nolan had the class never to bring it up in the media. Was it ever discussed with the league? I just read an old story (2007) about Brandon being stopped at the canadien border. It’s good to see that kind of behavior doesn’t really exist any more… and the Islanders have stood behind Ted… oh… wait…
I like the fact that YOU used the term “GONG SHOW”… And I guess the first Anon poster on your blog was probably in the know…considering the “racist” comment. -
Brian From Jersey says:
Hey Chris.. this is just a little tease for your book,… soon to be released hopefully… How about we delay this “youth” movement for the rest of this season (Frans – KO injury.. Tambellini(el stinko) and get 30 goals out of Shanny this year????
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Matt says:
Best post 36. I agree Neil. Why is this all coming to light now? Why weren’t fans told this before? Why wasn’t the NHL alerted to this? Having a hard time understanding this.
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So we lose 5-3 as opposed to 5-1?
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Mick Vukota says:
Excellent piece Chris ….. Keep up the great work …..
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Willis says:
Wow. Thanks for the info CB, pretty scary. Seems like many people have by now probably had similar Avery experiences and its time he is stopped. One really bad apple.
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There have been a lot of stories of Avery’s unknown antics that have been coming out in recent days. Good read.
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jethro09 says:
I’m not surprised by that story. Avery is an a**clown. The NHL would be a better place if he weren’t allowed to return. Its amazing what he’s gotten away with for a guy with such marginal skills.
The only mistake the NHL has made with this guy is to not have allowed him to play against Calgary after making those bone-headed comments. Phaneuf could have put him out of his misery and we’d never have to hear about Avery again.
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doc says:
I can’t read any more posts regarding Avery and his stupidity.
Islanders find a way to win tonight… I know I know… that’s overly optimistic… but I think Comeau gets one… as does Hunter, Guerin and Hilbert.
DOC
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FIsles says:
In his blog, Stan Fischler, who considers himself a friend of Avery, said Avery’s chronicled antics are only the tip of the iceberg. “Hair-raising stories” is how he described the iceberg. Only Brett Hull will know why he thought it was a smart idea to make such an expensive ($3.875m p.a.) long-term commitment to Avery. If I recall, Glen Sather’s last offer was $2.75m p.a. for four years, which is not too shabby considering he certainly knew all the details about Sean (Uns)Avery.
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matt says:
avery is god
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Hey Matt- you accidentally spelled dog backwards… just letting you know!
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Any chance the isles take vrbata?>
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Tony says:
Hockey players are a rare breed. I recall in the early 90s when Mick Vukota played for the Isles, I would often see him at this bar in Huntington Village. And he seemed to be a bit “off” as well. I also figured it was his on-ice personality only, but he would stare you down or get in your face if you happened to be next to him at the bar trying to get the bartender’s attention or if you bumped into him accidentally. Scary guy.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
People with basic education should know the major rule of physics: the + can’t exist without -. The league need clowns like Avery, Hollweg, ect. It’s show bussiness and popularity contest. There are two ways to become popular:
1. Be a Star full of skills and class;
2. Be a loud clown and a reason for many scandals (skills and class not required).
So why there are surprized bloggers and “WOWs”? If Avery is done as a pro-player, there are going to be other clowns rising in the League. There are always going to be angry topics to disscuss. -
So What? says:
Avery without a doubt is a loose cannon on and off the ice. With his lack of size and moderate talent for a NHL player he has to bring something or wind up playing AHL Hockey. Lets face it Dallas paid dearly for this jerk and if they waive him there will be at least 15 teams lined up to take him for half price. The NHL is at fault and the Players Association is defending him vigorously. He is a mucker at best but with his edge he changes the slant on games.
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Busey says:
AVERY RULES!
BRING HIM BACK TO THE RANGERS!!!!
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Moose says:
Pre-Original,
Don’t use Avery as a Scapegoat to gay bash.
We (the gays) don’t want him, thanks.And Sean’s got some serious baggage, and I’m curious what will happen when he HAS TO skate against Phaneuf later in the year.
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STFU says:
Great write-up. You forgot one detail though… ANY SEMBLANCE EVEN REMOTELY RESEMBLING PROOF!
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I didn’t post that!!!
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Potvin says:
If your account is true (and I tend to believe it is), I still see no moral equivalency between ALL of what Sean Avery has SAID versus what someone like Todd Bertuzzi or Chris Simon DID. Avery is a bit off. Every sport has them. He hasn’t broken any laws, he hasn’t injured or attempted to injure anyone. He’s hurt some feelings. Poor babies.
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PeteySpids says:
The only angle that this article conveniently misses is Sean Avery’s angle. I’ve said some pretty messed up things to people who I have a grudge against. The Ted Nolan thing is obviously wrong on a lot of levels, but, maybe, just maybe there’s a reason why Avery hates Garth Snow so much? It’s not like Snow is freaking Gandhi or something. He wasn’t even a very good goaltender. Look, all evidence points to the fact that Sean Avery is a douche bag, but, you know what, there are 3 sides to every story, and while no one ever hears the truth, Sean Avery’s side is also lacking in this case. So, you know what, I’m just going to continue to think of Sean as a guy out there making the game a bit more interesting than Gary Bettman ever has.
BTW – don’t forget that Shanny was the guy who pulled for Sean to come to the Rangers. And, as much as I would never get in that type of situation with anyone, my friends know me well enough to know that if anyone tried to dismiss me like that, whether i was completely out of line or not, they’d be on the receiving end of my fist as well. Who the hell does Shanny think he is in that situation? The man should be more concerned about his own game than what some idiot has to say to another idiot off the ice. That’s why Avery has a contract and Shanny is sitting by, waiting for someone (maybe his good friend Garth Snow) to find it in their heart to justify paying him what he thinks he should be making.
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Why are we to take this story in this “article” as fact? what if this is a work of fiction? A work worthy of the likes of Leo Tolstoy & Mark Twain? What if a certain someone just wanted to capitalize on Mr.Avery’s latest media coverage & entice a bit more readers to join in on the always satisfying Avery-bashing-festivities & get more hits on his site in the meantime? What if the latest 1936% jump in traffic for this site had something to do with writing such an entertaining tale?
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Mandy says:
Oh big fat freaking deal. Sean Avery has a potty mouth. Smack him upside the head and wash his mouth out with soap – treat him like the 3 year old he acts like. I gave up watching NHL games because I can’t explain to my cousins why it’s acceptable to suckerpunch someone in the back of the head, or cross check them from behind into the boards, then stomp on their leg, not because some idiot says something “naughty” that’s repeatedly been said on national television at the basic cable level (CSI: NY has the exact basic story in a episode 3 years ago)
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Paul says:
Enough with the Nolan talk…Lets see the proof he said it…TSN cameras have proof aparently…let see it.. The islanders organization, fans, and beat writers are a joke.
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Exactly Paul! All these stories come out now and they are all “he said/(s)he said” against Avery. Fine, he acts like a toddler, but until you prove it, leave it be. Nolan has been saying the league is racist towards him for over a decade, it’s old hat and now he’s got a handy target. Why the heck is there apparent audio/video evidence of Avery being a naughty child, which is so insulting to the league, but nothing has happened before? BTW, I’m more likely to view racial slurs as more inappropriate and poor family viewing/listening than the comment that has caused such a riot. Color me unoffended.
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Actually.. my buddy told me this story at the time it happened..he has a mutual friend with Bruno Gervais.. who told him.
So I tend to believe its true.
anyways. it just makes me love Avery even more.
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If someone screws up,and shows remorse.They’re worthy of another chance (in most cases) When you continuously mess up,and show NO remorse.You should be shown the door.If physical force is needed to rid a place of this uninspiring nonsense?So be it.I’m not totally “old school” but I am in my late forties.If a CHUMP such as this moron had have said things of this nature when the Gordie Howes,and John Ferguson’s walked the path.Swift and permanent justice would have prevailed.Avery needs to learn a hard lesson,RIGHT NOW.Gary Bettman? is an inconsistant wannabe disciplinarian worm,with the backbone of a shrew.There are too many players dying for a chance,such as the one this idiot has,and seemingly doesn’t care about.He can be VERY EASILY REPLACED.He is an embarrassment to everyone in the league,as well as an embarrassment to those who proclaim their love for the sport.A TOTAL BLACK EYE WE ALL COULD DO WITHOUT.
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Kevin Fitz says:
Chris we miss you!
CB,
Excellent write up! This is why I come to this site, for the behind the scenes information that we could not get anywhere else. When I read this, my first reaction was thinking how highly “the website that may not be named” regarded Avery as a future Islander. After reading this, I can understand why it never happened and never will happen. Maybe it is for the best that he seeks medical help, as it is the only way to help calm him down a little bit.