AVERY, STARS AGREE TO A FOUR-YEAR, $15.5 MILLION DEAL

One of the NHL's most spirited and hated players has been snapped up off the free agent list, as forward Sean Avery has been signed by the Dallas Stars to a 4-year, $15.5 million contract. The contract has a limited no-movement clause.

Avery, 28, was a key player with the New York Rangers since joining them midway through the 2006-07 season in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers are 50-20-16 over the last two seasons (10-8 in the playoffs) with him in the lineup, and 9-13-3 without him.

"We are excited about the opportunity to add a player like Sean Avery to our group," said Stars Co-General Manager Brett Hull. "His ability to play the game with skill and tenacity makes us a better team and is a great complement to the players we have here."

In 86 games with the Rangers, Avery scored 23 goals and tallied 53 points with 212 penalty minutes and a plus-17.

"It's limitless what he can bring to us," Hull told the Canadian Press. "His skill level is getting better and better, year by year. That, with his grit, his toughness, his ability to win, I just thought it was a no-brainer to have him in our lineup.

"He goes against the stream, which I kind of like. He reminds me of myself in a way," Hull said. "I think every team needs that."

A native of Pickering, Ontario, Avery has skated in 379 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers, collecting 65 goals and 102 assists for 167 points with 1,067 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 18 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, all with the Rangers, earning 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) and 33 PIM.