The Gun Of Bavaria Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 NEW YORK -- Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, whose blindside punch left Colorado's Steve Moore with a broken neck, was reinstated by the NHL on Monday. Bertuzzi was suspended for the final 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. His banishment continued throughout last season's NHL lockout, which kept Bertuzzi from playing in the World Cup of Hockey last September and the past two world championships. He also was barred from playing in any European league last season. Bertuzzi and Moore met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for Bertuzzi's reinstatement hearing on April 26. The Vancouver right wing needed the commissioner's approval before being allowed back into the league. "I find that the appropriate discipline to be imposed for Mr. Bertuzzi's conduct on March 8, 2004 is the suspension that has been served to date," Bettman said in a statement. The suspension cost Bertuzzi $501,926.39 in salary. He is due to earn $5,269,333 from the Canucks in the upcoming season. Moore might never play again because of Bertuzzi's vicious blow in Vancouver on March 8, 2004. The NHL waited over a year to hold Bertuzzi's hearing because of the lockout. Bettman waited nearly four more months to announce his decision to let him onto the ice. Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely following the hit. Moore was left with a broken neck, a concussion and no guarantee that he'd still be a professional hockey player. With the Avalanche ahead 8-2 in the game, Bertuzzi grabbed Moore from behind, punched him on the side of his head and then landed on top of Moore, driving his head into the ice. The bloodied Colorado player was removed on a stretcher. The attack was seen as retaliation for a hit Moore put on Vancouver star Markus Naslund that left the Canucks captain with a concussion and sidelined him for three games. "Mr. Bertuzzi's actions were deserving of an appropriately harsh sanction," Bettman said. "There is no question that Mr. Bertuzzi's actions clearly went well beyond what could ever be considered acceptable behavior in the National Hockey League. Mr. Bertuzzi must be held responsible for the results of his actions, and the message must be delivered loudly and forcefully that the game will not tolerate this type of conduct." Bertuzzi first asked for his reinstatement hearing last December, around the time he pleaded guilty in a Vancouver court to criminal assault and was given a conditional discharge. He faced up to 18 months in prison. He is not on Canada's roster for the World Hockey Championship, which begins this week in Austria. Moore is an unrestricted free agent after not being re-signed by the Avalanche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 I have mixed feelings on this- his actions are responsible for probably ending the career of Moore and lifelong implications. Just does not seem right that Bertuzzi gets to keep playing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Steve Moore is a pussy. Suck it up, Steve, and get back in the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Steve Moore is a pu$$y. Suck it up, Steve, and get back in the game. Real tough internet guy huh TS-stick to bashing Herm on the football board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gang Green Girl Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 I, too, have mixed emotions. Bertuzzi is a skilled player and FAR from a thug, but if Moore (a far LESS talented player), never plays again, perhaps Bertuzzi should be held accountable? I truly believe that the hit (intentional...yes?) was not intended to seriously injure. Certainly NOT career ending! There's no easy answer. I have mixed feelings on this- his actions are responsible for probably ending the career of Moore and lifelong implications. Just does not seem right that Bertuzzi gets to keep playing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanDoug Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Gretzky just invited Bert to Canada's olympic team camp. Also. Thurs Oct 27th and Sat Oct 29th. Nucks play in Colorado both nights. Wonder if Bert's gonna make the trip? d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Gretzky just invited Bert to Canada's olympic team camp. Also. Thurs Oct 27th and Sat Oct 29th. Nucks play in Colorado both nights. Wonder if Bert's gonna make the trip? d Vandoug is Bertuzzi actually have a contact for this year-or is he a restricted free agent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanDoug Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Vandoug is Bertuzzi actually have a contact for this year-or is he a restricted free agent He's got 2 years remaining on his contract. Now that the Nucks have signed Naslund to a 3 year gig, Bert will probably want to stay. d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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