Is that Sean Avery in the stands?

Wednesday, 09.28.2011 / 5:33 AM | Dan Rosen  - NHL.com Senior Writer
PRAGUE -- Petr Rada has the light goatee, the dark-rimmed glasses, the short hair and the No. 16 on his back.

If you didn't know better, you would think that he was Sean Avery. That's exactly the reaction Rada, a buyer for a sporting goods company, is going for.

Avery is Rada's favorite player and the obvious influence behind his look.

"He's a very funny guy," Rada said. "For example, if you remember four years ago in the playoffs, Rangers-Devils, his thing with Martin Brodeur, it was very funny. Sean also likes fashion and I like fashion. The last time the New York Rangers were in Prague he wasn't here, but he is now and it's great."

Rada, who was among the roughly 2,000 people at Tesla Arena watching the Rangers practice Wednesday morning, said he caught up with Avery prior to the skate and was able to convince him to take a picture together.

"Yeah, he liked me," Rada said. "At first he said no because there were so many people around, but he saw my tee-shirt with his name on the back and my glasses and he said OK. He took a picture with me and signed an autograph."

Rada was also hoping to see Mark Messier, but he is not here with the Rangers.

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl
Back to top