New York Rangers

Lore & Background

After signing a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 2008, Avery's tenure quickly unraveled. In December 2008, the NHL suspended him for controversial remarks about other players dating his ex-girlfriends. After serving a six-game suspension and completing a counseling program, the Stars placed Avery on waivers on February 7, 2009. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers' AHL affiliate, though he remained a member of the Stars organization. On March 2, Avery was placed on re-entry waivers by Dallas and claimed by the Rangers the following day. On January 5, 2010, in a game against the Stars, his former team, Avery recorded one goal and three assists.

Reader's Guide

Sean Avery's return to the New York Rangers in 2009 was a direct result of his controversial exit from the Dallas Stars. After signing a four-year, $15.5 million contract with Dallas on July 2, 2008, Avery was suspended in December 2008 for making controversial remarks about other players dating his ex-girlfriends. Following a six-game suspension and counseling, the Stars placed him on waivers on February 7, 2009. On March 2, 2009, Avery was placed on re-entry waivers by Dallas and claimed by the Rangers the following day.

His most notable game after returning came on January 5, 2010, against the Stars, when he recorded one goal and three assists. However, his second stint ended when the Rangers waived him on October 4, 2011. After clearing waivers, he rejoined the team for a November 5 game against the Montreal Canadiens. After being a healthy scratch for nine games, he was placed on waivers again on December 30, 2011.

Unclaimed, he returned to the AHL's Connecticut Whale, playing his last game on January 27, 2012. He was left off the Whale's Clear Day list on March 5 and told to stop reporting. Avery retired on March 12, 2012, announcing it on Watch What Happens Live.