Sean Avery Fights On Dancing With The Stars

Toronto-born Canadian hockey player Sean Avery fights on Dancing With the Stars this coming season.

Sean Avery may be retired, but he will be exchanging his ice skates for dancing shoes soon to compete for the new season of the ABC show.

Debuting on March 17, the 18^th season of Dancing With the Stars will feature Avery paired off with Karina Smirnoff.

During his professional career, the 33-year-old played for the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Detroit Red Wings.

The former NHLer has worked at an advertising agency in New York City since 2012. November of last year, the soon-to-be celebrity dancer announced his engagement to model Hilary Rhoda.

Ann Oldenburg of USA Today says the new cast is full of personalities with physical prowess with former Olympic ice gold medallists Charlie White and Meryl Davis, former NHLer Sean Avery, record-breaking swimmer Diana Nyad and Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy.

Also included in the new Dancing With the Stars season are game show host Drew Carey, reality star NeNe Leakes, singer Cody Simpson, actor Billy Dee Williams, and former Full House star Candace Cameron Bure.

Good Morning America took to twitter to share their excitement over the new set of dancers.

Say good morning to your new @DancingABC cast! #GMADancing pic.twitter.com/CNDVLYkeLC
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 4, 2014

What do you think of the new @DancingABC couples? #GMADancing pic.twitter.com/OvcCc148CL — Good Morning America (@GMA) March 4, 2014

Avery may no longer be fighting in the NHL, but during the past years he has been garnering attention in the news more so than other hockey players. Attracting controversy both on and off the ice, Sean Avery is one of the most interesting athletes in the world.

Not everyone may be in support of ABC's new cast for the new season of the dance show however.

Celebrities including former ESPN personality Howie Schwab have an opinion of the decision. Schwab took to twitter questioning Avery's inclusion in the show.

What a weird group for Dancing with the Stars. Sean Avery?? ReAlly. I do like Charlie White against Meryl Davis.
— Howie Schwab (@howieschwab) March 4, 2014

Sean Avery fighting On Dancing With The Stars may not make any guarantees for ABC's ratings, but his inclusion, as that of the other athletes will surely offer the viewers a new treat for the upcoming season.