Todd Bertuzzi
| Todd Bertuzzi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Born |
February 2, 1975 Sudbury, CAN | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg; 17 st 7 lb) | ||
| Position | Right Wing | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Anaheim Ducks Detroit Red Wings Florida Panthers Vancouver Canucks New York Islanders | ||
| NHL draft |
23rd overall, 1993 New York Islanders | ||
| Playing career | 1995–present | ||
Todd Bertuzzi (born 2 February, 1975) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Anaheim Ducks.
Playing career
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Bertuzzi was drafted in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders, but was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1998 along with Bryan McCabe for Trevor Linden. Bertuzzi's best season was 2002-2003, when he had 97 points. Bertuzzi played on the top line of the Vancouver Canucks, sometimes referred to as the West Coast Express, which consisted of himself, Brendan Morrison, and Markus Naslund.
On June 23, 2006, Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers along with Bryan Allen and Alex Auld in exchange for Roberto Luongo, Lukas Krajicek and a sixth-round draft pick.[1]
Bertuzzi scored a goal in his Panthers debut vs. Boston on October 6, 2006. Experiencing back spasms early in the 2006 season, Bertuzzi opted for surgery on November 2, 2006 that would sideline him for at least twelve to sixteen weeks. On December 6th, 2006, Bertuzzi was given medical clearance to begin skating. His debut goal was the only one he ever scored for the Panthers.
On February 27, 2007 Bertuzzi was traded to Detroit for prospect Shawn Matthias and conditional draft picks.[2]
On July 2, 2007 Bertuzzi signed with the Anaheim Ducks as an unrestricted free agent for 2 years / 8 million (US). This reunites him with his General Manager, formerly of Vancouver, Brian Burke.
Assault on Steve Moore
On February 16 2004, during a Vancouver-Colorado game, Avalanche center Steve Moore injured Canucks team captain Markus Näslund by checking him in the head area while Näslund was reaching for a puck ahead of him with his head down. Näslund, the league's leading scorer at the time, suffered a minor concussion and a bonechip in his elbow as a result of the hit, knocking him out of the lineup for three games. Referee Dan Marouelli did not call a penalty, which drew the ire of many Canucks, but the league ruled that Marouelli was correct in his judgment; it was ruled a legal hit bearing no punishment.
Canucks head coach Marc Douchebaglle pubicly criticized the non-call, claiming that Marouelli and his partner, Rob Lovesass, needed to show "respect" for the league's leading scorer. General manager Brian Ballstastic, the league's former chief disciplinarian, called the play "a headhunting hit."[3] Some Canucks players supposedly issued a "bounty" on Moore's head."[4]
During another Vancouver-Colorado game three weeks after the Naslund hit, on March 8 2004, Moore fought Matt Cooke in the first period. Late in the third period, Bertuzzi began following Moore down the ice and tried to start a fight. When Moore ignored him, Bertuzzi grabbed hold of Moore's jersey, and punched Moore in the side of the head from behind. Bertuzzi then pushed him down headfirst into the ice.[5][6]
After lying on the ice for several minutes, Moore was removed on a stretcher. Moore suffered three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a grade three concussion, vertebral ligament damage, stretching of the brachial plexus nerves, and facial cuts.
Aftermath
On 10 March, 2004, Bertuzzi scheduled a press conference where he emotionally apologized to Moore and his family, as well as to Burke, Canucks owner John McCaw, the Canucks organization, his teammates, and the fans. "I’m truly sorry. I don’t play the game that way, I’m not a mean-spirited person. And I’m sorry for what happened."[7]
Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL, and lost approximately US$500,000 in pay. The Vancouver Canucks were also fined US$250,000, on 11 March, 2004 for "...failure to prevent the atmosphere that may have led to [the incident]."
Although Bertuzzi had played in a charity game in Vancouver that was arranged during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) had extended his suspension to cover their jurisdiction. This meant that Bertuzzi could not play hockey in Europe during the lockout. It was felt that in the European leagues, Bertuzzi would have drawn too much negative publicity.
On 24 June, 2004, the criminal justice branch of the British Columbia Ministry of the Attorney General announced that Bertuzzi was formally charged with assault causing bodily harm. On 22 December, 2004 Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to the assault charge after arranging a plea bargain with prosecutors. He was given a conditional discharge and one year's probation. (Under Canadian law, Bertuzzi's successful completion of the probation means he has no criminal record from the incident.)[8]
On February 17 2005, Bertuzzi was named in a lawsuit filed by Moore, who has not played at all since the injury. Also named were Brad May (who was quoted as saying that there would "definitely be a price on Moore's head" after the game), Brian Burke and the Canucks team. The lawsuit was thrown out in October 2005, as the Colorado judge felt that British Columbia was a better venue for the suit. Moore plans to appeal the lawsuit.[9]
On August 8 2005, the NHL announced that Bertuzzi would be allowed to play again at the start of the 2005-06 NHL season.[10] In the league's decision, they cited many reasons for ending the suspension, such as:
- Bertuzzi serving a suspension of 20 games, tied for 4th longest in NHL history (13 regular season games, 7 playoff games)[11]
- Bertuzzi's repeated attempts to apologize to Mr. Moore personally
- Bertuzzi's forfeited salary ($501,926.39 USD)
- Lost endorsements (approximately $350,000.00 USD)
- Significant uncertainty, anxiety, stress and emotional pain caused to Bertuzzi's family
- The commissioner's belief that Bertuzzi was genuinely remorseful and apologetic for his actions
On August 15 2005, Bertuzzi broke his 17 month long silence by once again admitting to his mistake and expressing a desire to move on with his life. "I'm sure just like Steve Moore and his family, it's been difficult for both parties. I know I wish that day never happened. It's been some tough times, but I've got good family and good friends and good peers in the league that have helped me get over the hump and move forward and come through it."[12]
On November 8 2005, Moore's Toronto-based lawyer, Tim Danson, said that Moore was skating and doing regular workouts, but continued to suffer concussion-related symptoms.[9]
On February 16 2006, Moore filed a civil suit in the province of Ontario against Bertuzzi, the Canucks, and the parent company of the Canucks, Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment. He is seeking CAD$15 million in pecuniary damages for loss of income, CAD$1 million for aggravated damages, and CAD$2 million for punitive damages. Moore's parents Jack and Anna, who were watching their son on television when the attack happened, are also suing, seeking CAD$1.5 million for "for negligent infliction of nervous shock and mental distress."[13] There was some question in the media as to the timing of the lawsuit, which was filed shortly after the first game in the Olympics for Team Canada and Bertuzzi, but Moore's lawyer Tim Danson said, "There's nothing to the timing other than the fact that there's a limitation period."[14] The statute of limitations he referred was based on linking the charges to the Näslund hit, and thus expired on February 17 2006.
As of December 15, 2006, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is attempting to get Bertuzzi and Moore to agree on an out-of-court settlement in the CAD$19.5 million lawsuit filed by Moore. [15] Bertuzzi offered $350,000 to settle the case, an amount which was called "an insult" by Moore's lawyer.[16]
2006 Winter Olympics
Bertuzzi was controversially selected to play on the Canadian national men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. His inclusion, along with that of Dany Heatley and Shane Doan, was discussed at length by the Canadian Olympic Committee. The committee had concerns stemming from the Steve Moore incident and Bertuzzi's probationary status,[17] but subsequently approved his representation of Canada at the Olympic games. According to a CP article, "[COC president] Chambers said the [unusual meeting] was prompted by some media concerns raised over the three athletes participating in the Games. The fact it took the committee so long to approve the list means there was some debate."[18]
Bertuzzi posted 3 assists and a +1 rating in 6 games. However, Team Canada failed to advance past the quarterfinals and finished the Winter Olympics in 7th place overall, a severe disappointment for a team with high expectations.
Personal
Bertuzzi has a wife, Julie, a son named Tag and a daughter named Jaden. He also has a male Boxer dog named Cash.
Achievements
- 1995 - OHL Second All-Star team
- 2003 - NHL First All-Star Team
- 2003 - Played in NHL All-Star Game
- 2004 - Played in NHL All-Star Game
Career statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1990-91 | Sudbury Wolf Cubs | OMHA | 42 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 145 | 28 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 77 | ||
| 1990-91 | Sudbury | NOJHA | 48 | 25 | 46 | 71 | 247 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1991-92 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 42 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 145 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1992-93 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 60 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 168 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1993-94 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 61 | 28 | 54 | 82 | 165 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 30 | ||
| 1994-95 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 62 | 54 | 65 | 119 | 58 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 41 | ||
| 1995-96 | New York Islanders | NHL | 76 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 83 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1996-97 | Utah Grizzlies | IHL | 13 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 16 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1996-97 | New York Islanders | NHL | 64 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 68 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1997-98 | New York Islanders | NHL | 52 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 58 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1997-98 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 22 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 63 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1998-99 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 44 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 1999-00 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 80 | 25 | 25 | 50 | 126 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2000-01 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 79 | 25 | 30 | 55 | 93 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 2001-02 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 72 | 36 | 49 | 85 | 110 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 | ||
| 2002-03 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 46 | 51 | 97 | 144 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 60 | ||
| 2003-04 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 69 | 17 | 43 | 60 | 122 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2004-05 | DNP — Lockout | NHL | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2005-06 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 82 | 25 | 46 | 71 | 120 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2006-07 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 13 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2006-07 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 15 | ||
| NHL Totals | 725 | 226 | 314 | 540 | 1050 | 24 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 97 | ||||
| OHL Totals | 229 | 116 | 165 | 281 | 532 | 28 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 77 | ||||
Notes and references
- ^ "Canucks swap Bertuzzi for Luongo in multiplayer deal". 2006. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ Lage, Larry (2007). "Red Wings add toughness with Bertuzzi in trade with Panthers". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ Mossman, John (2004). "Naslund gets his bell rung". USAToday.com. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ Kramer, IrwinVigilantes on Ice Legal Television Network. March 15, 2004.
- ^ "Todd Bertuzzi attacks Steve Moore". tsn.ca. 2004. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
- ^ "Suspension amounts to minimum 17 games". ESPN.com. 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ "NHL bans Bertuzzi". BBC.co.uk. 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ "Bertuzzi receives conditional discharge, probation". CBC.ca. 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ a b "Moore plans to file appeal in civil case". Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ "NHL reinstates Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi". NHL.com. 2005. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Jamie. "The Longest NHL Suspensions". Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ "Bertuzzi: 'I wish that day never happened'". ESPN.com. 2005. Retrieved 2007-02-27.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ Westhead, Rick (2007). "Bertuzzi offered Moore $350,000". Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ "Canadian Olympic Committee approves Bertuzzi". 2005. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ "COC approves Men's hockey roster". 2005. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
See also
External links
- Bertuzzi cleared to skate
- Moore's suit thrown out of Colorado lower-court
- Fines issued
- Bertuzzi pleads guilty, probation
- Civil suit filed in Ontario
- Video: Bertuzzi attack on Moore
External links
- 1975 births
- Anaheim Ducks players
- Canadian ice hockey right wingers
- Canadians of Italian descent
- Detroit Red Wings players
- Florida Panthers players
- Guelph Storm alumni
- Ice hockey players at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey personnel from Ontario
- Living people
- National Hockey League All-Stars
- National Hockey League first round draft picks
- New York Islanders draft picks
- New York Islanders players
- Olympic ice hockey players of Canada
- People from Greater Sudbury
- Vancouver Canucks players
- Violence in sports