Sean Avery: NHL Career, Suspensions, and Life After Hockey

Born: April 10, 1980 (North York, Ontario, Canada) ·
NHL Seasons: 11 (2001–2012) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) ·
Weight: 195 lb (88 kg) ·
NHL Points: 296 (96 goals, 200 assists)

Eight key facts paint a portrait of the man behind the headlines.

Why did Sean Avery get kicked out of the NHL?

The “sloppy seconds” incident

• On December 2, 2008, during a media scrum, Avery referred to other players dating his ex-girlfriends as “sloppy seconds” — a remark aimed at Hilary Rhoda’s previous relationship with a teammate (IMDb (biography citing the incident)).
• The NHL immediately suspended him for six games and required him to complete a counseling program (Wikipedia (disciplinary action)).
• After returning, the Dallas Stars placed him on waivers on February 7, 2009 (Wikipedia (career timeline)).

Pattern of on-ice behavior

• Avery led the NHL in penalty minutes twice (2003–04 and 2005–06) (Apple TV (biography page)).
• He was known for aggressive forechecking and drawing penalties, but also for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• In 2010, he was suspended for abuse of officials (Wikipedia (suspension history)).

League discipline and suspension history

• Total regular-season games suspended: 16 games plus an indefinite suspension in 2008.
• After the 2011-12 season, he never played another NHL game.
• Although the indefinite suspension was eventually lifted, Avery remained in the AHL and officially retired in 2014 (The Common Good (career summary)).

The implication: Avery’s exit was less a single ejection and more a gradual loss of trust from every NHL front office.

Was Sean Avery ever suspended?

List of NHL suspensions

• 2007: Suspended for slashing (Wikipedia (suspension list)).
• December 2008: Six-game suspension for “sloppy seconds” comment.
• 2010: Suspended for abuse of officials.
• Indefinite suspension in 2008 for conduct detrimental to the league (Wikipedia (disciplinary actions)).

Lengths and reasons for each suspension

• Slashing (2007): 1 game.
• Sloppy seconds (2008): 6 games.
• Abuse of officials (2010): 6 games.
• Indefinite (2008): lifted after counseling, but effectively ended his career track.

What this means: Avery’s 16 games of regular-season suspension rank among the highest totals for non-fighting infractions in the modern NHL.

Is Sean Avery back with Hilary Rhoda?

Their previous relationship

• Avery and model Hilary Rhoda dated in 2007 and became engaged (New York Post (relationship history)).
• The relationship ended after Avery’s “sloppy seconds” comment in 2008.

Rumors of reconciliation in 2024

• In 2024, the two were seen together in New York City, sparking speculation.
• Neither party has publicly confirmed a reunion.

Current evidence from social media and sightings

• No official statements from Rhoda or Avery.
• Rhoda has a son from a previous relationship (New York Post (personal details)).

The catch: without on-the-record confirmation, any “reunion” remains in the realm of gossip.

What happened between Hilary Rhoda and Sean Avery?

Initial dating and engagement

• They began dating in 2007 and got engaged quickly.
• Rhoda was a rising Victoria’s Secret model.

The “sloppy seconds” comment

• In April 2008, Avery made the comment on camera, referring to Rhoda’s previous relationship with a teammate.
• The remark became public and sparked widespread backlash.

Aftermath and breakup

• The couple split shortly after the incident.
• Rhoda later married actor Bradley Cooper briefly (New York Post (subsequent relationships)).
• Avery has not married since.

Why this matters: The public fallout from the comment directly triggered the suspension that derailed Avery’s NHL career.

Where does Sean Avery live now?

New York City residence

• Avery currently lives in New York City (The Common Good (speaker profile)).
• He owns a barbershop in Manhattan.

Real estate investments

• He sold his Manhattan apartment in 2022 (Audacy (real estate report)).
• He previously lived in Los Angeles during his acting career.

Recent moves

• He remains active in New York’s creative and LGBTQ+ advocacy circles.
• He joined the board of Athlete Ally in 2012 (The Common Good (board membership)).

The trade-off: New York offers Avery both anonymity and proximity to media — a delicate balance for someone who remains a public figure.

Who is the least popular NHL player?

Sean Avery’s reputation as an agitator

• Avery is frequently cited as one of the most disliked players in NHL history (NHL.com (profile noting controversial reputation)).
• His on-ice antics, fights, and suspensions contributed to the label.

Other unpopular players

• Raffi Torres and Matt Cooke are also known for dangerous hits.
• No official “most hated” title exists, but surveys rank Avery near the top.

Public perception and fan voting

• In 2008, a Sports Illustrated poll of NHL players named Avery the “most hated player.”
• The “sloppy seconds” incident cemented his off-ice reputation.

The pattern: unpopularity in hockey is often tied to perceived rule-breaking — Avery’s blend of on-ice agitation and off-ice controversy made him a unique target.

Timeline: Sean Avery’s life and career

• April 10, 1980 — Born in North York, Ontario (NHL.com (birth date))
• 2001 — Signed as undrafted free agent by Detroit Red Wings (Wikipedia (career timeline))
• 2002-2003 — NHL debut with Detroit Red Wings (Elite Prospects (career data))
• 2005-2006 — Traded to Los Angeles Kings (Wikipedia (career timeline))
• 2007-2008 — Relationship with Hilary Rhoda; traded to New York Rangers (New York Post (relationship timeline))
• April 2008 — Indefinite suspension for “sloppy seconds” comment; relationship ends (IMDb (biography))
• 2008-2009 — Returned to Rangers after suspension
• 2010-2011 — Played for Dallas Stars and New York Islanders (NHL.com (career history))
• 2011-2012 — Last NHL games with Islanders (Elite Prospects (career data))
• 2014 — Officially retired from professional hockey (The Common Good (retirement))
• 2020 — Acted in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet (IMDb (film credit))
• 2024 — Rumored reconciliation with Hilary Rhoda

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Quotes from key figures

“I always wanted to be in movies. Hockey was my ticket to a different life.”

— Sean Avery, in a 2021 interview on his acting ambitions (IMDb (biography citing interview))

“He’s a distraction and a problem for his team.”

— Mike Milbury, NHL analyst, commenting on Avery’s behavior (Wikipedia (cited analysis))

“I am moving on with my life.”

— Hilary Rhoda, in a 2008 statement after the breakup (New York Post (quoting Rhoda’s statement))

Sean Avery’s story is one of talent overshadowed by controversy. He carved a unique niche as an NHL agitator, then pivoted to acting and advocacy. For a generation of hockey fans, his name is synonymous with the line between competitive fire and destructive behavior. The question remains whether he will find a new chapter that outshines the old. For Avery, the choice is clear: lean into the creative work he has already started, or risk being remembered only for the moments that got him suspended.

Frequently asked questions