Former Detroit Red Wings center Sean Avery has added another A-list movie to his film appearance credit list.
Avery portrays Laodamas, one of Odysseus’ men, in the hit film The Odyssey. Previously, the former NHLer had bit parts in popular films including Patriot Games, Tenet and Oppenheimer.
Of course, the starring role of Odysseus in the film is portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Matt Damon. And Avery was suitably impressed to be part of the team under such a major star.
“He got down to 167 from 200 pounds,” Avery said during a recent appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. “The guy was like sharpened steel. First on set, last off set.
Carried the entire production. He’s in every shot of the movie, pretty much.
“This guy put one up on the board. Championship season.”
Avery saw a similar performance with the Red Wings
Avery was asked to draw upon his NHL experience to find a hockey parallel to Damon’s leadership and performance level in the Odyssey. He went all the way back to his rookie NHL season of 2001-02 with the Red Wings to find the appropriate comparison.
“Stevie Y, 2002,” Avery said. “Stanley Cup and (Olympic) gold medal on one leg. That type of thing.”
That season, Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman endured through four rounds of Stanley Cup play in desperate need of repair to one of his knees. That summer, he would undergo an experimental osteotomy on the knee to prolong his NHL career.
Avery saw that level of determination during Damon’s work on the film
“Not afraid to get in the trenches,” Avery said. “No B.S. Get to work.
Let’s get the job done. Let’s have some fun, too, and get after it and have some laughs.”
Like Yzerman, who told stories back in 2002 of his dealings with the irascible and bombastic Avery, Damon also endured such moments working with the ex-Red Wings player.
“He listened to my [crap] for five months,” Avery said. “Saying some wild stuff, getting in the kitchens of some of our other actors.
“He just sort of hovered over everything.”