NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery for six games for making derogatory comments.
The move is retroactive to Tuesday's game against the Flames, with four more games to be served.
Avery also agreed to seek professional anger-management evaluation and, if necessary, structured counseling in light of his pattern of behavior, which the NHL has deemed unacceptable and antisocial behavior.
Avery will not be eligible to play again for the Stars until Dec. 16, when Dallas hosts the Phoenix Coyotes.
"Mr. Avery has expressed remorse for his recent comments and has sought a professional anger management evaluation," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a league-issued statement. "I will require that he follow through with that process as a condition of his returning to the ice and that he complies with any and all recommendations."
The decision to suspend Avery came less than 24 hours after he had a hearing inside the NHL's New York offices Thursday.
Avery met with Bettman, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, NHL Associate Counsel Jessica Berman, Dallas co-General Manager Brett Hull, NHLPA General Counsel Ian Penny, NHLPA Director of Player Affairs Glenn Healy and Pat Morris, Avery's agent.
Avery made headlines for all the wrong reasons after making disparaging remarks about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert, the Canadian-born actress currently dating Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf.
His comments were strongly condemned by his teammates, Dallas coach Dave Tippett and owner Tom Hicks.
Avery, who signed a four-year, $15 million deal with the Stars this past summer, has three goals and 10 points in 23 games this season.
It remains unclear if or when the Stars will bring him back to the team.