NHL's suspension of Canucks forward could extend into next season.
By Wire services
Published March 12, 2004
TORONTO - Todd Bertuzzi is done for the season, suspended Thursday by an NHL intent on sending the message that it won't tolerate premeditated attacks on the ice.
The Vancouver Canucks' All-Star forward will lose at least $500,000 in salary and could miss more time next season for the vicious punch that sent Colorado center Steve Moore to the hospital with a broken neck, concussion and other injuries.
The Canucks were fined $250,000 for the attack, which is being investigated by police.
"This is not a part of our game, it has no place in our game, and it will not be tolerated in our game," commissioner Gary Bettman said.
He called the punishment "stern, harsh and quick." And he hopes the severity will stem the criticism leveled at the league since Bertuzzi slugged and jumped Moore from behind, driving him headfirst into the ice late in a 9-2 loss to Colorado on Monday.
The attack appeared to be payback for Moore's Feb.16 hit on Canucks captain Markus Naslund, who got a concussion and missed three games. Both teams were warned by the league not to retaliate.
Bertuzzi's punch was replayed on TV stations across the United States and Canada, and he and the league were condemned in newspapers in both countries, including a headline in the Toronto Star on Thursday that read: "Does someone have to die?"
"I think we will ultimately be judged on our response and the message that it sends," Bettman said.
Moore, lost for the season, has deep cuts on his face and two broken vertebra, but his spinal cord was not injured. He is in stable condition in a Vancouver hospital.
"I'm convinced the league was careful to take into account all the elements and acted with a clear sense of what was fair for all parties involved," Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said. "Steve Moore's complete recovery continues to be our main concern."
Canucks GM Brian Burke was surprised by the team's fine, saying the league shouldn't blame Vancouver and coach Marc Crawford for what happened.
"The line got crossed here," Burke said, referring to Bertuzzi's attack.
"We're not condoning what Todd did.
"We're not expecting to walk out of here without a penalty. We understand this incident is not part of the game, and Todd understands that."
The suspension could end up being one of the harshest in NHL history, depending on how deep the Canucks go in the playoffs and whether Bettman determines to extend it next season.
Bertuzzi, who sat out Vancouver's 1-1 tie against Minnesota on Wednesday, would miss a minimum 17 games this year if the Canucks - currently fourth in the Western Conference - make the playoffs and are swept in a four-game, first-round series.
The previous record suspension was 23 games, for Boston's Marty McSorley in February 2000, and Tampa Bay's Gordie Dwyer in September 2000.
