Avery won't talk to NY media before game at MSG

DETROIT - Believe it or not, Sean Avery is ducking the New York media. Avery and the Dallas Stars visit the Garden tomorrow, and the former Ranger won't talk to the media before the game, according to a statement from the Stars.

"Thank you all for your inquiries and requests for interviews," Avery said in a response to e-mails from reporters yesterday. " . . . In my effort to focus on the game at hand, I would prefer not to do a lot of interviews, so please accept this statement in lieu of fullcourt press.

"I extremely enjoyed my time in NY playing for the Rangers. Jim Dolan runs a first-class organization, the fans are as passionate and as tough as they come, and they make MSG a very special place to play and call home. I wish the Rangers all the best and I hope that they have a great season. I have no animosity towards anyone in [the Rangers] organization for not bringing me back; that is sometimes how things work out."

Avery has no goals and two assists in five games.