The NY Daily News is reporting that New York Rangers agitator Sean Avery has been hospitalized.
Rangers bad boy Sean Avery, unconscious and not breathing, was rushed to a Manhattan hospital Wednesday morning in cardiac arrest just hours after his team’s playoff loss, sources said.
Avery, 28, arrived at St. Vincent’s Medical Center about 3 a.m., according to the hospital source. The Rangers had just lost 5-3 a short time earlier in the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.
Update 1210pm: TSN is reporting that Avery has a lacerated spleen.
Update 1230pm: The Rangers have issued a statement:
He was taken to St. Vincent’s hospital after the game, and was admitted following a CT scan. He is expected to make a full recovery during the off-season.
Darren McCarty snapped a ten day streak without a playoff scrap when he dropped the gloves with Cody McCormick in the Red Wings‘ 5-1 win over the Avalanche Saturday afternoon. It was McCarty’s first fight since making his way back to Detroit late last month.
McCarty felt forced to send a message to ensure that Colorado players weren’t planning on pushing his teammates around. McCarty surprisingly found a taker in McCormick, who issued Mac a challenge in an attempt to inject energy into an Avalanche team that was trailing by four goals at the time and are now down 2-0 in the series. The veteran first made sure that McCormick wasn’t trying to goad him into taking a penalty.
From M-Live:
“He asked me to go, I was making sure he wasn’t trying to draw me into a penalty,’’ McCarty said. “There wasn’t much of a staredown, but there was a drawn-out drop-the-glove part. I think we laid them on the ice. It was like, ‘OK, are we going to do this?’ Because you don’t want to do anything silly at this time of year.’’
Playoffs update
Elsewhere in the league…
- The Habs and Flyers are currently deadlocked 1-1. Things are bound to even nastier this evening courtesy of Tom Kostopoulos‘ gloved punch on Kimmo Timonen last game. Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau claims that Timonen started to mock his opponents after a goal. Derian Hatcher says that Carbonneau’s remarks are ‘typical’ of him. No word yet as to whether or not Riley Cote may be in the lineup tonight for Philadelphia.
- The Penguins lead the Rangers 2-0. Hal Gill dropped the gloves and went after Sean Avery due to a slash to Marc-Andre Fleury as time expired yesterday. A scrum ensued but penalties were not handed out.
- The Stars beat the Sharks 5-2 last night to take a 2-0 lead in their series as well. No fights in the first two games.
ECHL book contest ends tonight
If you haven’t already noticed, we’re giving away a copy of the book 20 Years of the ECHL signed by ECHL Commissioner Emeritus Patrick J. Kelly. Those who are still interested in entering the giveaway - see this thread for details. Valid entries will be taken up until 12:00 AM EDT tonight. Winners will be chosen at random tomorrow.
Videos added
Cody McCormick vs Darren McCarty Apr 26, 2008
Jon DiSalvatore vs Bryan Muir Apr 18, 2008
Chris Durno vs Chris Harrington Apr 18, 2008
There were a couple of bouts last night. Mike Green went with Scottie Upshall (did I hear a “finally”?) early in the third period of the Flyers 6-3 win over the Caps. The Flyers are now up 2-1 in that series.
The Wild and Avalanche have had a great series so far, and tempers flared last night after the Avs went up 4-0. No one wanted to go near Derek Boogaard, who acquainted himself with most of Colorado’s roster. After roughings and misconducts all over the place, Stephane Veilleux and Ian Laperriere dropped the gloves shortly after a faceoff and took some swings before getting tied up. Todd Fedoruk tried to get at Laperriere at the end of the game, but Lappy wasn’t interested in the Fridge. Lappy’s also already told the media he wouldn’t consider fighting Boogaard.
Boogaard spoke about his lack of a willing partner:
“They have guys on their team whose job is to open their mouths and try to get us to take penalties on them, and I mean, it’s just not going to happen,” said Boogaard, who ended up taking a 2-minute roughing and 10-minute misconduct in the second period and another roughing penalty in the third period of the 5-1 loss Tuesday.
Boogaard then has some words about Cody McLeod‘s style of play.
“I’m going to laugh when the instigator [penalty] is out this summer because I’m pretty sure [McLeod’s] ... going to be a lot more quiet next year,” Boogaard said. “[The way he plays] is not hockey. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be played. It’s supposed to be played with respect. He doesn’t show respect.”
Elsewhere
- The Habs took a huge game four from the Bruins and are up 3-1 in the series.
- The Ducks went into Dallas and won, 4-2. The Stars are now up 2-1 in the series where the away team has won every game. There have been no fights in the series.
- Joe Thornton scored with just 10 seconds left to give the Sharks a 3-2 win. The series with the Flames is now tied at 2.
Videos added
Stephane Veilleux vs Ian Laperriere Apr 15, 2008
Mike Green vs Scottie Upshall Apr 15, 2008
Ryan VandenBussche vs Stu Grimson Nov 19, 1999 (Round 2)
Ryan VandenBussche vs Stu Grimson Nov 19, 1999 (Round 1)
Chris Murray vs Chris McAllister Feb 28, 1998
Craig Berube vs Turner Stevenson Apr 17, 1995
Dan LaCouture vs Brandon Sugden Sep 22, 2005
Tonight’s games
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators 7:00 PM ET
Some reads
O’Reilly’s a big fan of Lucic
Lucic gives confidence big bump
Roberts forever young in playoffs
Thornton finally makes his presence felt
Beaten To the Punch
Stanley Cup going to the dogs
Former NHL and Red Wings heavyweights Bob Probert and Joey Kocur, along with Bob Duff of the Windsor Star, have a book coming soon. The Bruise Brothers - Hockey’s Heavyweight Champions will be released June 1. Michigan In Play! magazine had a sneak peek at it and was good enough to pass along some exclusive excerpts to hockeyfights.com:
..."Though they are best-known as two of the most dominant heavyweights in NHL history, I would stress first of all that they were both good hockey players,” said Yzerman, who wrote the foreword for the book. “They fought, but they did it the right way. They never jumped a guy. They were always pretty respectful. They knew who the tough guys in the NHL were and they knew each fight was a challenge.”
Kocur, who’s won more Stanley Cups (four) in the past 15 seasons than any NHLer, could also put the puck in the net and displayed his all-around hockey abilities during his second stint with Detroit from 1996-99, when the club rescued him from the oblivion of a Michigan recreational league.
Teamed with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby, they formed one of the league’s most effective checking units, Detroit’s famed Grind Line, helping the team to back-to-back titles in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
“I have to admit, when they told me Joey Kocur was going to be playing on my line, I didn’t know what to expect,’’ Draper said. “I knew he could fight. I found out he could play.”
Added Maltby: “He made our lives a lot easier out there.”
Even those who were often on the receiving end of their blows find it difficult to dislike them. “They were larger-than-life characters,” former St. Louis tough guy Kelly Chase said. “People loved the way they fought.
Tie Domi teamed with Kocur in New York and fought Probert nine times, but simply smiles when their names are brought up in the discussion. “Joe and I were tag-team partners in New York,” Domi said. “He really showed me the ropes.”
As for Probert, his frequent nemesis, Domi is nothing but respectful. “He’s a classy guy,” Domi said. “We’ve been friends, even through all that’s happened between us through the years."…
For the rest of the story and to find out how you can order an advanced copy of “The Bruise Brothers - Hockey’s Heavyweight Champions” go to http://www.michiganinplay.com and turn to page 21 of the April digital issue of the magazine. The archive section of the magazine contains past columns from Bob Probert.
Slow fighting-front, but some good action so far out of the first round.
The one fight last night was from Montreal-Boston. Guillaume Latendresse and Shane Hnidy threw some punches in-tight after a scrum developed at the end of the first period.
Including the regular season over one third of Montreal’s fights have been against Boston this season.
Marc Savard scored the game-winner in OT for the Bruins. The series is now 2-1 in the Habs favor.
The Devils took the same route, winning in OT and now trailing the Rangers by just one game.
Philly-Washington‘s tied up, and Calgary came back from being down 3-0 early to win 4-3 and take a one game lead on the San Jose.
Book giveaway
Just a reminder we’re giving away 20 Years of the ECHL. Contest rules | Entry thread
Video added
Guillaume Latendresse vs Shane Hnidy Apr 13, 2008
Tonight’s games
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators 7:00 PM ET
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche 10:00 PM ET
Some reads
Agitated Brodeur gets last laugh
Wild tough guy Todd Fedoruk has become a much more rounded player
Flyers’ tough guy Cote happy to be here
Detroit’s McCarty back from rock bottom
Phaneuf takes his boos ‘with a grain of salt’
Guest columnist sees lighter side of Pens’ Laraque

Mancuso takes readers on a tour that has seen the “East Coast Hockey League” transform from five teams in four states into the “ECHL” with 25 teams across North America.
The book has more than 200 photographs and interviews with league founders Henry Brabham and Bill Coffey as well as former commissioners Patrick J. Kelly and Richard W. Adams and current commissioner Brian McKenna. The interviews help provide insight into the important role that the ECHL played in minor professional hockey in North America, introducing it into four states and 25 cities while returning it to 21 other cities including the historic expansion that added seven West Coast teams for the 2003-04 season.
The author profiles 50 of the most outstanding figures in ECHL history as well as 50 outstanding ECHL alumni who skated in the NHL and 20 of the greatest ECHL head coaches that have moved up the professional ranks.
So how to enter? Easy - go to this thread and make a post. It can be anything, “I’m in” works just fine. Two posts gets you dq’d. Lurkers - it can be your first post, we’re cool with that. Register if you’re not a member already. I’ll ship to anywhere.
Gotta have the book now? The ECHL is selling it directly on their website.
Jeff Marek of CBC interviewed me for his blog on CBC’s website, Upon Further Review.
Part one consisted of a few fight and site-related questions, along with some younger and AHL players I think you could see make their mark on the NHL soon.
Part two is a couple of top tens: top ten fighters, and the top ten fights from last season. My top tens are fairly flexible. Everyone can be moved up or down two spots easily. Anything can happen on any night which is what makes them fun to do. I’ll try and highlight both of these lists more soon.
The 2007-08 hockeyfights.com Awards are coming soon, and you’ll be able to pick your top fighter and fight of the year.
On a related-note: I also had a few words with the owner of My Hero Of The Day where I was featured. Fun, and flattering to say the least.
Actually, it’s “huntin’”, right? I’m from New York, so what do I know… either way, the first playoff night was a good one. Just one fight from the four games last night.
Dean McAmmond shoved Sidney Crosby into the boards. Crosby returned to his feet, with the puck and went to the front of the net. As the puck went out of area, Crosby and Wade Redden started shoving and throwing some gloved shots. The whistle blew and players gathered and Ryan Whitney took on Redden on behalf of his captain. Whitney wound up getting Redden’s jersey over his head, throwing punches at will before the linesmen moved in.
Just one minute into the game Gary Roberts made his presence felt, scoring the first goal of the playoff season, quickly becoming enemy #1 in Ottawa - again. Big Georges had the first assist. Roberts scored again with 1:35 left. He then picked up 16 PIMs with just 12 seconds left. It looks like it’ll be a chippy series. The Pens took the game, 4-0.
Wild comeback fails in OT
The Wild were down 2-0 to the Avalanche going into the third before Mikko Koivu scored a few minutes into the period to bring the Wild within one. Todd Fedoruk then scored on the power play to tie things up a few minutes after that. That’s right, a little PP time for the Fridge in the playoffs. It was all for naught, as Joe Sakic scored the game-winner for the Avs in overtime.
Derek Boogaard was in the lineup, logging 8:56 of ice time. Mark Parrish left the game with a head injury. That may lead to Chris Simon dressing for next game.
Video added
Wade Redden vs Ryan Whitney Apr 9, 2008
Tonight’s games
Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens 7:00 PM ET
Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings 7:00 PM ET
Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks 10:00 PM ET
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks 10:00 PM ET
Some reads
Western Quarterfinals Preview 2008
Eastern Quarterfinals Preview 2008
Not One Extra Minute
In defence of hockey brawls
Goons take night off in Game 1 of Rangers-Devils
Roberts remains Senators’ nightmare
This time, Penguins a true playoff team
Flames head coach reflects on playoff history
Unglamorous, but successful
Simon’s new team is ‘true’
Muscle in spades
Producing Pens’ telecasts a dizzying endeavor
Darcy Hordichuk had 12 FMs in 2007-08 and 60 PIMs.
Not one other major, misconduct and not even one minor.
I’m pretty sure there’s never been a player with 10+ FMs and not one other penalty called against him.
Hordi averaged 5:09 of ice time in 45 games.
The 2007-08 NHL regular season has come to a close.
It was a fairly busy weekend, at least for the Blues and Blue Jackets. St Louis won the back to back set by a combined score of 7-1, but there were also 7 fights in the faux playoff series (1, 2). Matt Walker had four fighting majors alone.
Flames atop FM list
For all the fighting Ducks talk this season, the Calgary Flames finished first on the team FM leader list with 70. Anaheim had 69, and the Vancouver Canucks 68. Last season the Ducks finished with 71 FMs, but the nearest team, the Phoenix Coyotes, had 47.
Fighting was up overall this season.
Great matchups
Some great playoff matchups to watch this first round. I’m keeping this post rather brief to get started on some playoff previews to post the next couple of days. From Rangers-Devils in the East to Ducks-Stars in the West, there should be some great games.
Videos added
Matt Walker vs Zenon Konopka Apr 6, 2008
Matt Walker vs Aaron Rome Apr 6, 2008
D.J. King vs Tom Sestito Apr 6, 2008
Marian Gaborik vs Ian Laperriere Apr 6, 2008
Jody Shelley vs Steve Ott Apr 6, 2008
Doug Murray vs B.J. Crombeen Apr 6, 2008
Milan Michalek vs B.J. Crombeen Apr 6, 2008
Bryan McCabe vs Greg Stewart Apr 5, 2008
Darcy Tucker vs Josh Gorges Apr 5, 2008
Jared Boll vs Matt Walker Apr 5, 2008
Zenon Konopka vs Barret Jackman Apr 5, 2008
Zenon Konopka vs Matt Walker Apr 5, 2008
Unfortunately some DVR and scheduling issues gobbled up a few vids this weekend, I’m working on getting them and adding them soon.
Some reads
Dennis Bonvie set to retire as pro hockey’s most-penalized player
Not Quite Ice in His Veins, but Hockey in His Blood
Odd NHL interpretation hurts Ducks
Matchup hairy for Mottau
Parrish in a tough spot, but OK with it
Rangers tough-guy Avery insists his name wasn’t in prostitute’s electronic ‘black book’
Hockey rockers on a roll
Shame on gutless Sens
Big, bruising Wild trying to squeeze in lots of muscle for Stanley Cup playoffs
Mitch flashback: Bob Probert seems like he’s finally turned the corner
After last night, there are only three days of the regular season left. Playoff time is nearing. Check out the standings page for the current playoff picture.
The Coyotes won’t be playing for the Cup this season, but Daniel Carcillo gave Phoenix fans something to cheer about last night, leaving his gloves on the ice twice in the third period. In the first fight, he dropped Krys Barch with a heavy right. Later in the period Steve Ott was looking to remind Carcillo the Stars weren’t backing down and gave Carcillo little choice but to go again.
After playing 78 games before picking up his first fighting major this season, Brent Burns now has two in three games. Burns was (is?) Derek Boogaard‘s roommate. I guess eventually something just rubs off on you. Burns took on Dion Phaneuf last night after Phaneuf laid out Stephane Veilleux.
Things got chippy towards the end of the Bolts-Caps game. As the whistle blew Jason Ward looked like he was going to go with John Erskine. Ward was held back, a scrum formed and Junior Lessard dropped the gloves with Matt Bradley to cap off Washington’s big W.
Finally, Shean Donovan took on Bryan McCabe in a Sens blowout of the Leafs.
Slow Duck
The Calgary Flames now lead the NHL in fighting majors. The Anaheim Ducks are only one away, with the Vancouver Canucks just one behind them. Looking at Anaheim’s schedule it’s easy to see that they’ve kept their gloves on recently, with just 4 fights in the last 11 games.
Thanks
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who wrote to me with thoughts, congratulations, etc. about my son. Him and his mother are doing great, and there’s been nothing but sleepy happiness since he’s arrived.
Videos added
Steve Ott vs Daniel Carcillo Apr 3, 2008
Krys Barch vs Daniel Carcillo Apr 3, 2008
Dion Phaneuf vs Brent Burns Apr 3, 2008
Junior Lessard vs Matt Bradley Apr 3, 2008
Aaron Downey vs James Wisniewski Apr 2, 2008
Joffrey Lupul vs Brooks Orpik Apr 2, 2008
Riley Cote vs Georges Laraque Apr 2, 2008
Some reads
Laraque respects Flyers’ Cote
In a Must-Win, It’s Ovechkin
Canes need to win, or else
Rangers’ win over Islanders lands a playoff spot
Panthers’ Olli Jokinen mired in NHL-high playoff drought
Alberts back in the swing
Journal Hall of Fame hockey writer Jim Matheson answers your questions
Trash talk underway between rockers and former NHLers prior to Juno Cup
Only two scraps last night. One was expected, one was not.
Jody Shelley hooked up Raitis Ivanans and the two had a decent heavyweight scrap. Surprisingly, it was the first regular-season fight between the Sharks and Kings this season. It’s key to note that both teams were without a heavy for the majority of the year but it doesn’t really matter in this situation. The teams have combined for a total of only four fights against each other post-lockout, rare for divisional rivals even in today’s “new” NHL.
Jason Spezza received his first fighting major of the season when he danced with Andrei Markov in the first period of Habs-Sens. It was Markov’s first career-fight in 491 total games.
The world’s newest powerforward
After sporadic updates over the weekend, we had everything ironed out by Monday. The cause of the delay was a good one: David’s wife gave birth over the weekend to the couple’s first child, a son. Noah weighed in at a healthy 7lbs 11oz.
Videos added
Raitis Ivanans vs Jody Shelley Apr 1, 2008
Andrei Markov vs Jason Spezza Apr 1, 2008
Ryan Malone vs Sean Avery Mar 31, 2008
B.J. Crombeen vs Sean O’Donnell Mar 30, 2008
Marc Staal vs Kristopher Letang Mar 30, 2008
Zack Stortini vs Jim Vandermeer Mar 29, 2008
Adam Burish vs David Backes Mar 29, 2008
Craig Adams vs Cam Janssen Mar 29, 2008
Chris Neil vs Shawn Thornton Mar 29, 2008
Some reads
Regehr lacks respect for Hemsky, says MacT
Avery strongly denies involvement with Manhattan madam | Avery laughs off hooking allegations
Buyouts not the answer to Leafs’ problems
Happy 80th birthday Mr. Hockey
Tatrn, Doornbosch show great potential, GM says
Grinder earns primetime praise
More reaction to Roy
Just a few of the million reactions to the Jonathan Roy incident
Roy’s antics are unusual, not the norm so stop with the silliness
Quebec seeks rules to curb hockey fights
Police chief to would-be hockey goons: no room for on-ice attacks in Ottawa
Hockey fights pitiful, dull
Fight debaters are misguided
Hockey Canada boss calls for reduced rosters to stem violence