Oh Grate

Many sportsmen who have come to New York have struggled to live up to their previous success. The bright lights and distractions, the added pressure and the increased media attention, have helped derail many a career. For Sean Avery though, it appears the opposite is true.

After being traded first from Detroit and then Los Angeles after each team found it difficult to deal with the outspoken forward, Avery seemingly found a home in New York helping to lead the team out of mid-season doldrums and into an unlikely playoff spot in his first season. His antics in the post season that generated the “Avery Rule” (an interpretation of the unsportsmanlike conduct rule that was extended to include trying to distract the goaltender) was just one of a number of incidents that helped Avery cement a big following amongst the faithful.