Outrage over Avery comments overblown

As you may know by now, Dallas Stars' forward Sean Avery has been suspended indefinitely for recent comments made about Calgary Flames' player Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf is now dating Avery's ex-girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert. Avery called an impromptu press conference in the lockerroom before Tuesday's game against the Flames, calling over the few cameramen left in the room. "I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada," Avery said on camera this morning in Calgary. "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. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight." And that was it. For some reason, those comments have drawn the ire from across the hockey world. Avery has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL, pending a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. According to NHL.com, the suspension was issued in accordance with the provisions of By-Law 17 and Article 6 of the NHL Constitution for conduct "detrimental to the League or game of hockey." Dallas owner Tom Hicks issued a statement following the announcement of the suspension, backing Bettman's decision. "I completely support the League's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Hicks said. "Had the League not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so." Even Avery's coach, Dave Tippett jumped onto the bandwagon. "I think everyone in our room believes there is an integrity that has to go along with the game, respect for the game and respect for your opponents and Sean crossed that line," Tippett told reporters in Calgary prior to the game. "I think the words, the words and disrespect for an opponent like that is something . . . there's lots of trash talking that goes on on the ice. But then to announce something like that for everybody to hear, to me that crosses the line and the League — and our ownership felt that, too." I just don't get why this is such a big deal. I understand that Avery is a jerk and is generally unliked throughout the league. But seriously, this is not worth getting the collective panties in a bunch over. He talked some trash that another player was dating his ex-girlfriend. Was it entirely appropriate, no. But who cares. This definitely does not warrant such outcry, let alone a suspension. Bettman needs to settle down and stop trying to top MLB Commissioner Alan H. "Buh" Selig as the worst commissioner in sports. Clearly, what we should be discussing here is how hockey is clearly not as second class a sport as we thought. If girls like Cuthbert and Hillary Duff (New York Islanders' Mike Comrie) are dating hockey players, and non-superstar role players at that, then clearly hockey is doing OK. For your viewing pleasure, here is the video of Avery's remarks. Avery Press Conference