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Avery ‘had a huge smile on my face’ after learning of Torts firing

New York Rangers v New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on November 15, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

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Ex-Ranger Sean Avery was pleased to learn head coach John Tortorella was fired on Wedensday -- but not for the reasons you might think.

“It’s not that I’m happy for myself. I’m happy for the Rangers and Ranger fans,” Avery told the New York Post. “When I was a Ranger, no one was happier to walk into the Garden every day than me.

“I loved the team. I still do. I want the atmosphere to be the best it can be for the players. I want everyone in New York to be proud of the team.”

Little was heard from Avery since retiring last year, until he popped up on Twitter to call Tortorella a “clown” in March, adding “his players hate him and won’t play for his BS.”

Then, in mid-May, he took a different approach, saying that playing under Tortorella was “one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

“Part of it was the relationship that I had with him as a coach,” he explained. “It definitely helped me make the transition and have a successful career.”

But Avery took a new turn -- surprise surprise -- after hearing Tororella was ousted this week, tweeting “Don’t ever doubt what I say,” before speaking with the Post’s Larry Brooks.

“Oh, I had a huge smile on my face,” Avery said about hearing the news. “No question about it.”