Calgary, AB (My Sportsbook) - The National Hockey League suspended renowned pest and antagonist Sean Avery indefinitely, pending a hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman.

The veteran forward, who plays for Dallas, was disciplined after he made inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game, earlier Tuesday. During a television interview, Avery used a rude term about his ex-girlfriends dating other players in the league.

"I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," said Stars owner Tom Hicks. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have. This organization will not tolerate such behavior, especially from a member of our hockey team. We hold our team to a higher standard and will continue to do so."

Avery made his comments following a skating session in Calgary Tuesday morning, ahead of a night game with the Flames.

"I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada," Avery said before the cameras. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my (former girlfriends). I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight."

The date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled.

"It's been extremely disappointing," said Stars goaltender Marty Turco after Dallas beat the Flames, 3-1. "For the respect this organization deserves, they think it's kind of a slap in the face."

Avery was linked romantically to model Rachel Hunter, and his ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert, best known for her role on the Fox show "24", is dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

"My thought is it was a very disrespectful comment," said Phaneuf. "The league took action and I definitely agree with the way they took action."

Avery, 28, who inked a four-year contract worth $15.5 million over the summer after spending the past one-plus seasons with the New York Rangers, has posted three goals and seven assists in 23 games this season.

In 402 career games with the Red Wings, Kings, Rangers and Stars, Avery has collected 68 goals, 177 points and 1,144 minutes in penalties.

The comments Avery made Tuesday were just the latest in a line of deplorable acts for the veteran left wing. During a playoff series this past April, he used a controversial tactic to screen the opposing goaltender, namely facing New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and waving his hands and stick in front of the netminder in an attempt to distract him and block his view.

The following day, the NHL issued an interpretation of the league's unsportsmanlike conduct rule to cover Avery's actions.

"We want to be an organization of a man standing up," said Turco. "If he's a part of it he has to adhere to the things he has done in his past. He has to own up. He knows what's going to happen."