Avery Stick Wave Earns New NHL Rule

April 14, 2008 5:50 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The NHL on Monday moved to address Sean Avery's weekend antics on the ice and created a rule to prevent its future recurrence.

The new mandate, which takes effect immediately, was announced by Colin Campbell, director of hockey relations, in reaction to Avery's goalie screening acts in Sunday's overtime win against New Jersey. The Rangers forward set himself up in front of Martin Brodeur, waving his stick so as to block the goaltender's vision.

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play," The Associated Press quoted Campbell as saying in a statement.

"I've played for 15 years in this league. I've been watching games for 33 years. I had never seen that in my life," Brodeur said. "I don't think that kind of behavior should be done in front of the net, but there is no rule for it."

Avery's actions earned not only the ire of Brodeur but also of other players in the league. Its unlikely timing in the playoffs contributed to the NHL immediately taking measures to curb similar future repeated acts, which going forward becomes a game penalty.

"I've never seen that before," Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney said. "It seemed odd to me. He's not in a position to get a rebound if there is one because his stick is up in the air."

"Here we are trying to sell the game, and stuff like that is going on," New Jersey forward John Madden said. "I just find it childish and I don't agree with any of it."