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Avery: “I’m hungry to prove people wrong”

averylittleminutes

James

A day after being waived for the second time this season, New York Rangers forward Sean Avery had some parting words for the organization and its head coach, John Tortorella.

“I have a lot to prove, and I have a lot of game left after not being allowed to play my game for the last four years,” Avery told the New York Post. “I guarantee that I’ll play my [expletive] off and give everything I have for the team that will give me the chance I wasn’t getting [from coach John Tortorella].

“That team will be getting a guy who has a lot to prove.”

The 31-year-old winger claims to have plenty of game left. While he never seemed to escape Torts’ doghouse this year, Avery was moderately effective after being recalled from AHL Hartford, scoiring three goals and recording a plus-2 rating in 15 games for the Rangers. Brooks noted Avery “played energetically, effectively and with discipline, taking one penalty that left the Rangers shorthanded.”

Avery’s agent, Pat Morris, has been granted permission to seek a trade for his client, and Avery’s comments suggest any team that acquires him would get more sandpaper than what he showed on Broadway.
“I can be the type of difference-maker I was in New York when I was there the first time and allowed to play my game,” he said. “And that’s what I’ll be for any team that’s willing to look beyond the rhetoric and see my value on the ice. I’ll give everything I have to help that team win.”