Former New York Rangers’ Sean Avery goes on trial in NYC for ramming scooter into car

Igor Burdetskiy June 15, 2022

2 2 minutes read

Former New York Rangers forward Sean Avery appeared in Manhattan court Wednesday morning for the start of his trial on charges he used a scooter to hit a car that was blocking a bike lane a few years ago.

The pugnacious player, 42, was hit with a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief over the incident back in 2019 and the case has dragged on ever since.

Avery, who retired from the NHL in 2012, originally said he was going to represent himself in court against the judge’s advice but has since hired criminal defense attorney Jason Goldman.

Goldman, a former Brooklyn prosecutor, questioned why the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office hadn’t dropped the case against his star client, telling The NY Post that, “the real focus should be on addressing the violent crime plaguing our city.”

“Instead, because of my client’s name, the District Attorney’s office is wasting unnecessary resources on prosecuting this trivial, petty matter against an individual with no criminal history whatsoever,” Goldman said in a statement Tuesday.

Prosecutors have offered Avery a series of plea deals, but he has opted not to take them, going to trial instead.

The case will be a bench trial, meaning it will be decided by a judge, not a jury. If convicted, Avery, who now lives in California, faces up to three months behind bars.

Avery is a fierce protector of bike lanes and is accused of bashing the driver’s side door of a car with his scooter at East Eighth Street and Broadway in Greenwich Village on Feb. 23, 2019.

“If I need to be the poster boy for defending the bike lanes, I will absolutely do that,” he told The NY Post following a court appearance in June 2019. “We need to be able to just bike in freedom.”

The car he allegedly hit belonged to venture capitalist Jonathan Schulhof, according to court documents reviewed by The Post.

Schulhof’s wife Kimberly Kravis, the daughter of the real estate scion and billionaire Henry Kravis, was in the vehicle at the time of the incident, according to a source with knowledge.

It is unclear if the two will be in court for the trial, which is expected to last between two to three days.

Around the time of the alleged incident, Avery was known to frequently pick fights with drivers blocking bike lanes and then posting Instagram videos of the altercations.

The controversial former forward was arrested for throwing rocks at cars just days before his 2015 wedding to model Hilary Rhoda.

Avery was with the New York Rangers for roughly half his 10-year NHL career, before hanging up the skates.

*Credit to NY Post for first obtaining direct quotes about this case and its proceedings*

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!