SN: I've noticed your persona during the radio or TV interviews is considerably different than when you're not on camera.

Avery: I really think that it's like my on-ice character. I kind of take it off the ice. To be honest, I don't want people to know that much about me. I can talk about how I like music or I like clothes and stuff like that. But really, people don't know what goes on when I leave the rink and I kind of like that and I kind of enjoy that. I think you have to have that if you want to carry out this image that I have of this real bad-ass guy that's crazy and does all this crazy stuff and says all these crazy things. It's true to a certain extent but it's not 24/7.

SN: So after spending a couple days with people, I like to make huge psychological generalizations about them. To me, it seems almost like you're hiding something.

Avery: That's the whole secret. That's what you're not going to get out of me. Who knows? I could be a hard-core Christian. I could be gay. I could be a singer-songwriter. It's all up in the air at this point.

SN: So do you even know?

Avery: Oh, I know. I've got it figured out. Not everything; there's still a lot to learn. That's what it's all about. It's about having that identity that I want everyone to see then I can go home and there's still other stuff that goes on and other stuff that I'm into.

SN: Are you a spiritual person?

Avery: I think as I'm getting older and as I'm traveling a lot more and meeting different people, I definitely think there's something that's going on, I'm evolving into something. I'm really starting to believe strongly that everything happens for a reason. I really, truly think that every single thing that happens on a daily basis, happens for a reason. I think it's beyond our control so that's kind of something that I'm starting to figure out. Spiritually? Religion-wise, I'm not into any sort of religion, I'm just cruising, interacting with people, meeting people and really just soaking it all up.

SN: We've talked a lot about the connection you make with music, do you get that same kind of spiritual connection playing hockey?

Avery: Yeah, yeah. It was funny sitting around last night, watching the baseball game. The competitiveness, to be able to go out and have 20,000 people stand up because of something you've done, is incredible. It's a pretty amazing feeling, the camaraderie you have with your teammates, just really the fact that you have to push yourself. It feels good to have to work hard, and sacrifice yourself. That's probably the best feeling, is just pushing the envelope and having a big win--your eye is busted up, maybe I broke my finger and I feel like I just ran a gantlet in a war and it's an amazing feeling. It's got to be tough to have that go away. I'm just going to savor it as long as I can.

SN: Was there a point in your hockey career where you realized you had to play with this edge or else you'd never make it in the NHL?

Avery: Yeah. It was probably my coach in the American League. Mike Babcock (current Detroit Red Wings coach) was probably one of the most instrumental people I've had so far and kind of just made me realize what it was going to take to get to the next level. It wasn't just going out and fighting or causing a ruckus with the other team. I had to be a player, also. I just kind of morphed it into what it is now. There's not really anyone in the league like that. I can say that, not out of arrogance or anything like that. There isn't and there hasn't been in a long time, anyone that has been like me.

SN: Now that you have the big contract with Dallas, do you lose that edge, that desire to make it and prove people wrong?

Avery: No. You know what? That's one thing with me. I've told people in the past, me getting a lot of money to play is not going to change the way I play. If anything, it just makes it easier. Easier to go out and play harder, makes it easier to stand in front of the net, knowing that if I get hurt � I feel like I can just put it out on the line even more now, which is kind of a cool feeling.

SN: Anything else?

Avery: I wish I had some parting words or something earth-shattering to say.

SN: Yeah, c'mon, give me something that will make headlines.

Avery: I definitely think John McCain is going to win the presidential race.

Also on NBCSports.com Howard: Look at what Agassi is now, not was PFT: Cowboys on rise in our power rankings NCAA FB: Ready for player exodus?  |    Top juniors   MLB blog: A look at the top 111 free agents Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM NHL

NHL Section Front

Coach thinks Ovechkin might play this weekend Kovalchuk could return to ice against Rangers 'Canes place G Cam Ward on injured list Coyotes have an interest in Chelios Red Wings claim F Drew Miller off waivers NHL GMs keep trapezoid, will discuss headshots Breaking down the perfect NHL player Live odds Matchups/Injuries Vote: Who will win the Stanley Cup? NHL Section Front   Add NHL headlines to your news reader: