Sean Christopher Avery (born April 10, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.

[6] Prior to joining the NHL, Avery played for the Owen Sound Platers and the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

He played one final season in the OHL before turning professional in 2000 with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Midway through the 2002–03 season, Avery was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, along with defenseman Maxim Kuznetsov and two draft picks for Mathieu Schneider.

Several players spoke publicly of their dissatisfaction with the NHL Players' Association’s leadership during the lockout, including Avery, who publicly blamed NHLPA president Bob Goodenow for wasting an entire season with a battle that alienated fans and yielded few results.

With three games remaining, the Kings unofficially suspended Avery for the remainder of the season after he refused to do a drill in practice.

[11] After joining the Rangers, he scored 20 points in 29 games to help the team complete a 17–4–6 end-of-season run to qualify for the playoffs.

On March 17, Avery recorded a single-game career-high four points (one goal and three assists) against the Boston Bruins in a 7–0 victory.

[14] On August 1, 2007, Avery, as a restricted free agent, earned an arbitration award of $1.9 million for the 2007–08 season, which the Rangers accepted.

[18] After serving a six-game suspension and completing a counseling program, the Stars placed Avery on waivers on February 7, 2009.

He was left off the Whale's Clear Day list of players eligible to play for the remainder of the AHL season submitted on March 5, and told to no longer report to games or practices.

[27] On February 23, 2022, the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL signed Avery to a standard player contract, putting him on the team's reserve list.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he traded Avery during the 2002–03 season because he did not live up to the standards of an NHL professional.

The puck was later cleared out of the Devils' zone but on the second Rangers offensive attack, Avery scored a power play goal.

The following day, the NHL issued an interpretation of the league's unsportsmanlike conduct rule to cover actions such as the one employed by Avery, which would now result in a minor penalty.

[36] On December 2, 2008, prior to the Stars' morning skate in preparation for a game against the Calgary Flames, Avery approached the assembled reporters in the dressing room and stated, "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds.

[36][37][38] Within hours, the NHL suspended Avery indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the league or the game of hockey".

[39] Avery apologized the next day, calling his actions "inappropriate" and "a bad attempt to build excitement for the game".

He agreed to undergo anger management counselling due to what the NHL called unacceptable and antisocial behaviour.

Commissioner Gary Bettman noted that both he and league disciplinarian Colin Campbell had warned Avery several times before about his behaviour .

One factor in the Stars decision was that coach Dave Tippett and several of the players, including Mike Modano and Marty Turco, let it be known they weren't willing to take him back on the team.

[47] Avery used his Instagram account, named "officer_avery", to try to keep New York City's bike lanes clear of obstructions.

After ramming his scooter into a minivan blocking a bike lane in New York City's West Village, Avery was charged with criminal mischief in 2019.

[48] Prosecutors offered him a plea deal that would involve him pleading guilty, paying a fine, and attending anger management classes.

On June 16, the second day of his trial, Avery was convicted of attempted criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

[51] After retiring from the NHL in 2012, Avery began working at Lipman, a New York City-based advertising and creative agency.

"[55] In 2008, New Line Cinema put into development a film based on Avery’s life, focusing on his status as a professional athlete with an active interest in fashion, including a summer internship at Vogue.

He appeared in two movies starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Peter Berg: 2016's Patriots Day and 2018's Mile 22.

[1] On August 29, 2021, Avery, via Twitter, endorsed Republican Curtis Sliwa for Mayor of New York City.