It’s the NHL, all right – the National Hypocrites League.
Following a week during which the NHL hierarchy cast Sean Avery as the ultimate villain and took the extraordinary step of amending its rule book in the middle of the playoffs in order to outlaw the face-guarding tactics No. 16 employed against Martin Brodeur in Game 3 of the Battle of the Hudson, the league has authorized Reebok to manufacture and sell an “Avery Rule” tee shirt, The Post has learned.
According to a well-placed source, the NHL approved the concept and design before soliciting approval from the Players Association. The NHLPA then asked for and was granted Avery’s permission to go forward.
The licensed tee shirt features an NHL copyright mark, the NHL logo, NHLPA logo and the Rangers’ logo with text that reads, “Avery Rule No. 16,” in the Blueshirts’ uniform-style lettering.
This should not be confused with the shirt that’s been available on the internet with the heading, “Avery Rules,” under which appears the text of amended Rule 57 that addresses unsportsmanlike conduct.
Avery – who, The Post has learned, was summoned to Gary Bettman’s office last Tuesday for a lecture in comportment after making an obscene gesture at a camera crew taping last Monday’s practice – refused to comment when asked yesterday about the NHL’s desire to capitalize on and profit from his antics.
The NHL, of course, won’t profit alone. The players will get their share of the revenue generated by sale of this tee shirt.
That includes Martin Brodeur.