Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber went to a Winnipeg Jets game this weekend ... but the only hockey they were interested in was of the tonsil variety.

Former L.A. Kings hockey player Pavol Demitra -- a 3x NHL All-Star -- was one of 43 people killed when a plane carrying a Russian hockey team crashed outside of Moscow this morning.

Russian officials say TWO people on board survived the crash -- a crew member and a player named Alexander Galimov.

The plane was carrying a team called the "Lokomotiv Yaroslavl" -- which was en route to Belarus for the season opener -- when it crashed shortly after departing from an airport 150 miles outside of Moscow.


Several former NHL players are believed to have died in the crash along with 36-year-old Demitra -- including Karel Rachunek, Josef Vasicek, Brad McCrimmon, Igor Korolev and Alexander Karpovtsev.

It's unclear why the plane went down -- local reports say the weather was not a factor.

NHL star Sean Avery just caught a fast break in his police battery case -- because we're told, he won't face any charges after his recent arrest ... for allegedly shoving a cop.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, "No criminal charges of any kind will be filed against Sean Avery stemming from his August 5 arrest for battery on a police officer."

As TMZ first reported, cops showed up to Sean's Hollywood Hills home in response to a noise complaint -- and when Avery answered the door ... he allegedly shoved an officer and closed the door.

But according to law enforcement sources, a further investigation revealed that no officer was ever actually pushed.

We're told the officer who made the battery report did so after his foot was caught in Avery's front door -- and multiple witnesses have corroborated the story.

According to sources, police don't believe it's appropriate to charge Avery -- and agree the matter would be best handled by an informal meeting with the L.A. City Attorney, who's expected to officially close the case ... without prosecution.

Sean Avery has a brass set -- how else do you explain the fact he asked the police that arrested him for a favor ... right after he called them "fat little pigs"?

As TMZ first reported, the NHL star was arrested after he shoved a police officer who came to his house Thursday night after complaints of loud noise from his neighbor. During the arrest, Sean called the cops the aforementioned name ... and challenged them to a fight.

But get this ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ that when Avery was being released, he had a friend ask the officers if they would let Avery go out the back door ... so as to avoid any waiting cameras.

Law enforcement denied his request and treated him just like everyone else.

Do unto others ...

NHL star Sean Avery challenged cops to a FIGHT when they responded to his Hollywood Hills home this morning ... calling them, "Fat little pigs" ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We're told cops were dispatched to the home over a complaint about loud music -- and when they arrived to Avery's pad, the hockey star was NOT happy to see them.

Sources tell us 31-year-old Avery immediately began running his mouth at the cops -- telling them he would fight all of them ... even challenging them to, "Come back without your badges."

During the incident, Avery -- who famously dated Elisha Cuthbert a while back -- allegedly shoved an officer and slammed the front door on the cops.

We're told cops began speaking with Avery through the door -- and warned him that if he didn't open the door, they would break it down. That's when Avery decided to open up and cooperate. 

As TMZ first reported, Avery was hauled to a nearby station and booked for battering a peace officer.  He has since been released after posting bail.


Calls to Avery's rep have not been returned.

NHL star Sean Avery was arrested early this morning after he shoved a police officer who was trying to break up a loud party at his home in the Hollywood Hills ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement sources, a neighbor called police to complain about the noise coming from Avery's home. When police arrived at about 1:00 AM, we're told Avery answered the door ... then shoved a cop and slammed the door behind him. 

Police then knocked again, and we're told the New York Rangers star came to his senses and opened up. According to law enforcement ... Avery was extremely cooperative after that, but was still booked for battery on a peace officer.

He was taken to the Hollywood police station and is being held on $20,000 bail. 

UPDATE: Avery was released at 8:10 AM and is scheduled to appear in court on September 2. 

In hockey, you can get a five-minute penalty for fighting, two minutes for high-sticking -- and thrown off your team for making lewd comments about Elisha Cuthbert.

The Dallas Stars say Sean Avery will not be rejoining the team after serving a six-game suspension, saying: "All parties said there is a clear understanding that a return to the Stars is not in the best interest of either the hockey club or Avery."

Avery was originally suspended for his "sloppy seconds" comment about his ex girlfriend, Elisha, that he made to the media during practice.

Hockey hothead Sean Avery is scrambling to make up for the foul comments he made about his ex girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert, by releasing this apology:

"I would like to sincerely apologize for my off-color remarks to the press yesterday from Calgary.

"I should not have made those comments and I recognize that they were inappropriate. It was a bad attempt to build excitement for the game, but I am now acutely aware of how hurtful my actions were. I caused unnecessary embarrassment to my peers as well as people I have been close with in the past.

Click here... it's not over yet

Is Mary-Kate cruising with NY Rangers stud Sean Avery? Sources tell TMZ yes -- and it's getting hot!

Avery, who was previously linked to Elisha Cuthbert and rumored to be the other man in JT's "What Comes Around Goes Around," has been seen squiring MK all over the Big Apple.

He shoots, he scores!