Steve moore todd bertuzzi trial

The trial is expected to involve dozens of witnesses and last as long as 18 weeks. Had this gone to trial, the entire NHL, its culture, its executives and business practices all could have been on trial. It was something that Moore seemed more than willing to take on after waiting 10 years to see this civil trial happen. The out of court settlement comes as a bit of a surprise as a result. For the NHL, Bertuzzi and the Canucks, a trial could have had significant negative impact and that impact could have had far-reaching consequences.

Moore, who is the older brother of New York Rangers forward Dominic Moore, appeared in 69 games and was playing in the first full-time season of his NHL career before he was injured in the attack in March of He had 12 points in those 69 games, all with the Colorado Avalanche. Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to assault charges stemming from the incident, thus avoiding jail time with the plea agreement.

A line brawl erupted, involving all remaining skaters on the ice. Canucks fans initially cheered at Bertuzzi's actions believing that Moore had it coming for what happened two games before. But as the fighting died down and it became apparent that Moore was seriously injured, the arena became silent. After lying on the ice for approximately 10 minutes, Moore was removed from the playing surface on a stretcher. With eight minutes remaining in the third period, Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix reportedly asked referees to end the game.

The contest was nonetheless played out with the Avalanche winning 9—2. Moore was taken to Vancouver General Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Denver where he was treated for three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a grade-three concussion, vertebral ligament damage, stretching of the brachial plexus nerves, and facial lacerations. He was also suffering from amnesia. Two days after the incident, Bertuzzi scheduled a press conference in which he wept and apologized to Moore and his family, as well as to Burke, Canucks owner John McCaw, Jr.

He added, "For the kids that watch this game, I'm truly sorry. I don't play the game that way. And I'm not a mean-spirited person. Bertuzzi was assessed a match penalty and ejected from the game.

Per league rules, he was also suspended indefinitely pending a ruling from Bettman. On March 11, , the NHL ruled that Bertuzzi would remain suspended for at least the remainder of the Canucks' season, which ultimately cost him the final 13 games of the regular season plus seven playoff games. While the following NHL season was suspended due to the —05 lockout, many players went overseas to play in Europe. Upon learning that Bertuzzi was intending to do the same, the International Ice Hockey Federation extended his NHL suspension to cover their jurisdiction.

The game was organized by Brad May in partnership with the Vancouver Giants, a junior club in the Western Hockey League and raised funds for Canuck Place, a Vancouver children's hospice sponsored by the Canucks.

Bertuzzi received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd. Even though the NHL lockout had not yet been resolved between the league and the players, Bettman scheduled a reinstatement hearing for Bertuzzi on April 26, The hearing was attended separately by Bertuzzi and Moore.

The civil case was filed in Ontario court in but was slowed by delays. Moore, now 35, never fully recovered from his injuries and was unable to keep playing.

In March, a day before the 10th anniversary of the play, he told The Canadian Press he still has headaches and low energy. I can't recover anything else. It all started on Feb. The play drew no punishment from the NHL. Major retaliation was expected. Vancouver's Brad May was quoted as saying there was a "bounty" on Moore.

The legal case for the loss of my NHL career is over. I have accepted a settlement agreement which has now been finalized and signed by all the parties. This day comes with mixed emotions. I am extremely thankful for the compassion and encouragement of so many people over the past decade. These years have been very difficult for me and my family.

The injuries I sustained in my rookie year, the years I spent trying to return to my NHL career, and dealing with the loss of my career and the ensuing legal case, have been long and trying experiences. While nothing replaces the loss of one's dream, I am happy my family will no longer be burdened by an unresolved legal case, and I am grateful to be able to move forward.