Dallas Bad Boy Avery Poised To Return

Dallas Stars bad boy Sean Avery, suspended and dropped by his team for making derogatory remarks about former girlfriends, is poised to return to the ice.

The Stars announced on Tuesday they had assigned Avery to the New York Rangers minor league affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Park, clearing the way for him to resume a career that looked over.

"I would like to thank the Rangers organization for giving me the chance to resume my hockey career," Avery told NHL.com.

"I am looking forward to getting back on the ice, working my way back to the NHL and playing the game I love."

The controversial left-winger has not played since early December when he was suspended for six games and ordered to undergo anger management evaluation by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

The Stars said later they did not want Avery back in their locker-room once his suspension and treatment had been completed.

Avery ended his NHL/NHLPA program last week and has been cleared by doctors.

He played last season for the Rangers, scoring 15 goals and 33 points before signing a four-year $15 million deal with Dallas in July.

"Sean and the Dallas Stars approached me looking for an American Hockey League team for him to resume playing and I am happy to provide him with the opportunity to continue his career," said Rangers general manager Glen Sather.

"Sean was a good player for the Rangers during his time here and has worked extremely hard off the ice over the last two months.

"He remains under contract to the Stars, therefore any further comment would be inappropriate."