AVRIL LAVIGNE - LAVIGNE STARTS UP HOCKEY TRADITION

Canadian singer AVRIL LAVIGNE has started a new tradition with her bandmates - playing ice hockey against her record company at New York city's Chelsea Pier.

The 20-year-old COMPLICATED singer had a surprise 18th birthday party at the Manhattan venue, where her pals rented ice and played the high-energy sport.

And it has since become a regular event, with the singer enjoying a game last week (ends17DEC04).

She says, "Every year, twice a year, we rent the ice at Chelsea Piers and play hockey. It's usually me and my band versus the record company.

"My band pretty much is all Canadian and we're really good at hockey so we always kick butt... My team won 14-3. I scored and I'm excited about that.

"I brought my skates from home because that's really important. I had to lug them in my suitcase on tour with me 'cause I knew we were having this game."