Sean Avery is back on the ice for the first time since being waived by the New York Rangers.
Avery skated Wednesday in Hartford with the Rangers' minor-league affiliate, the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League.
The 31-year-old winger was assigned to Connecticut after clearing waivers Oct. 5, but has been rehabbing an injured right shoulder while in Hartford.
He received a cortisone shot Monday and practiced with the Whale for the first time Wednesday while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, skating on a line with Andreas Thuresson and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault.
Avery accompanied the Rangers on their European road trip but was waived and sent home following the team's last preseason game in Switzerland. Coach John Tortorella left no doubts about his feelings for the notorious agitator, saying "we have better players than Sean Avery, plain and simple."
General manager Glen Sather, however, left the door open for Avery's return.
"Of course we could recall him if he's in Hartford and he's earned that," Sather told the New York Post. "You never know; somebody could play his way off this team."
The Rangers recalled center Kris Newbury from Connecticut Sunday after sending down diminutive winger Mats Zuccarello, but it is believed that Avery could have been a consideration if not for the injured shoulder.
Avery carries a cap hit of $1.9 million.
Avery skated Wednesday in Hartford with the Rangers' minor-league affiliate, the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League.
The 31-year-old winger was assigned to Connecticut after clearing waivers Oct. 5, but has been rehabbing an injured right shoulder while in Hartford.
He received a cortisone shot Monday and practiced with the Whale for the first time Wednesday while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, skating on a line with Andreas Thuresson and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault.
Avery accompanied the Rangers on their European road trip but was waived and sent home following the team's last preseason game in Switzerland. Coach John Tortorella left no doubts about his feelings for the notorious agitator, saying "we have better players than Sean Avery, plain and simple."
General manager Glen Sather, however, left the door open for Avery's return.
"Of course we could recall him if he's in Hartford and he's earned that," Sather told the New York Post. "You never know; somebody could play his way off this team."
The Rangers recalled center Kris Newbury from Connecticut Sunday after sending down diminutive winger Mats Zuccarello, but it is believed that Avery could have been a consideration if not for the injured shoulder.
Avery carries a cap hit of $1.9 million.
Katie Strang
ESPNNewYork.comKatie Strang covers the Rangers, Islanders and Devils for ESPNNewYork.com. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Katie Strang
After spending the past two seasons as the Islanders beat writer for Newsday, Katie Strang joins ESPNNewYork.com to cover the Rangers, Isles and Devils. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
Mike Hume
Mike Hume is a general editor for ESPN Insider, for which he coordinates NHL coverage, including the NHL Draft Blog. He has followed hockey since The Whale skated at the Civvy, and has covered the sport since 2004.
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