Nearly 10 years after Todd Bertuzzi ended the career of then Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore, both parties have come to an agreement that will settle the lawsuit just weeks before it was expected to go to trial.
“Suffice it to say, Todd Bertuzzi is happy this has arrived at a resolution, as I’m sure all parties are,” said Geoff Adair, a lawyer for Bertuzzi.
The settlement comes after years of unrest stemming from an incident in 2004 in which Bertuzzi, then playing for the Vancouver Canucks, grabbed Moore from behind and punched him in the head. Moore fell to the ice where Bertuzzi fell on top of him. Moore was knocked unconscious for nearly 10 minutes and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. He suffered a concussion and three fractured vertebrae as a result of the incident.
Moore wore a neck brace for nearly a year, after which he began skating and conducting regular off-ice workouts. However, he continued to suffer concussion-related symptoms and determined that he would never be medically cleared to play professional hockey.
Following the punch, Bertuzzi was suspended for the remainder of the NHL regular season and playoffs. His suspension ended up lasting nearly 17 months due partially to the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 NHL season. While many players went overseas to play during the lockout, the International Ice Hockey Federation upheld the NHL’s decision to suspend Bertuzzi’s eligibility to play within their jurisdiction.
The trial was scheduled to begin on September 8. While terms of the settlement were not disclosed, Moore had amended the lawsuit earlier this year, seeking CAD$68 million in damages – up from CAD$38 million previously.
At 39-years-old, Bertuzzi remains an unrestricted free agent. He previously spent the past five seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.
