Kim Bauer she ain’t…

According to the Daily News, the Rangers’ Sean Avery is listed as a $500 client of Manhattan madam Kristin Davis’ brothel Maison de L’Amour. Avery’s name is one of more than 2,000 recovered from a computer spreadsheet detailing the high-priced hooker’s sordid operations.

When contacted about the allegations initially, Avery seemed convinced he was the victim of an April Fools’ prank, however, after later learning that the report was legitimate, the pugnacious winger issued a strong denial, calling the assertion “false and defamatory.”

Some more reaction from Avery, via the Journal News’ Sam Weinman:

“I certainly have a lot of enemies, I know that,” Avery said when asked how his name ended up on the madam’s computer spreadsheet. “But I do know if I was ever to venture into one of these establishments, I wouldn’t use my own name. I think that would probably be stating the obvious.”

Whether it’s true or not, the Avery issue does have the potential to be a distraction to the Rangers as they seek to lock down a playoff spot—not to mention perfect fodder for fans in opposing arenas. But Avery said it was only worth a laugh with his teammates, and that no one from the coaching staff or the team’s upper management has even approached him about it (although Glen Sather did make a rare appearance in the dressing room after practice).

“It certainly could be a tri-state player that maybe started this whole conspiracy theory,” Avery said.

David Clarkson, anyone?