NHL Star Sean Avery Arrested For Shoving Police Officer

Controversial hockey player Sean Avery was arrested in Los Angeles early Friday morning after allegedly shoving a police officer. The LAPD was responding to a complaint from a neighbor about the noise level of a house party at Avery’s home in the Hollywood Hills.

Avery, who plays for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League, apparently argued with police before shoving one of the officers and slamming the door. When Avery eventually came out of the house, he was arrested for battery and taken into custody. Bail was set at $20,000.

The incident was not the first time Avery has been in the spotlight for brash behavior. In 2008, the NHL suspended him for six games after he made lewd public comments about another hockey player who was dating his ex-girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert. Avery told reporters on camera, “It’s become a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds.”

Avery hasn’t always been too polite on the ice either. Earlier in 2008, Avery waved his stick in front of an opposing team’s goalie in an effort to distract him. While the tactic is not explicitly forbidden by NHL rules, it was seen at the time as an example of poor sportsmanship. And just last season, Avery sucker punched Edmonton Oiler’s defender Ladislav Smid after feigning walking away.

The New York Rangers declined to comment on the incident, though there is speculation that the team will need to make a decision about whether to keep the incendiary player on its roster next season.