Burke says media 'vilified' Bertuzzi

National Post (Canada) ^ | 3/11/2004 | Jim Morris

[SolutionsOnly]

VANCOUVER - General manager Brian Burke dropped the gloves in support of Todd Bertuzzi on Thursday, criticizing the media for vilifying the Vancouver Canucks forward who has been suspended for the rest of the NHL season and the playoffs for attacking Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche.

Burke said he wouldn't talk about the length of the suspension because he will be pleading for the league to reinstate Bertuzzi at a later date. The Canucks are also deciding if they will appeal the NHL's ruling.

In classic Burke style, he ripped into the media for casting Bertuzzi as a villain. His face red, and struggling to control his temper, Burke also suggested the media had not been careful enough in analysing the events that led to Moore's injury.

[SolutionsOnly]

Wow. This guy just doesn't get it. It's like, "How dare anybody disrupt my revenue stream!"

What a disgrace!

[annyokie]

Man, I love hockey fights, but this was so over the top that Bertuzzi should be disqualified for life, IMO.

[always vigilant]

This is a John F’n Kerry sport. He attacked the guy from behind and broke his John F’n Kerry neck. He should never play again

[thoughtomator]

This incident very nearly reaches the threshold of attempted first-degree murder... judgement call on the part of the prosecutor.

[Fierce Allegiance]

This incident very nearly reaches the threshold of attempted first-degree murder

You obviously have no clue. This was a nasty dirty trick, but I have seen hundreds worse. It is a shame the guy is hurt, but your staement is foolish.

[BushisTheMan]

When I heard about this, I immediately thought: Canadian hockey guy going to give it to the American hockey guy.

He went too far...and I hope he pays.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

This incident very nearly reaches the threshold of attempted first-degree murder

oh yes lets just throw bertuzzi in the chair for a bad temper he didnt have any intention of slaming the guys face to the ice,that was just a bad follow up to an already bad move

zero tolerence,the courts and cops have no place on the ice

[iranger]

What I'm appalled at is the cowardice of today's NHL player. Attacking from behind in unimaginable. Furthermore, ten years ago, players dropped their gloves when they wanted to fight. In this instance, both Bertuzzi and the subsequent Colorado players kept their gloves on while throwing punches. I would have loved to see them try that with Gordie Howe on the ice. He would have mauled them.

[thoughtomator]

Would an awareness of the prior threats in this case perhaps change your opinion as to the proper charge?

[doug from upland]

He should be in jail for insult with intent to commit grievous bodily injury.

[Petronski]

Man, I love hockey fights, but this was so over the top that Bertuzzi should be disqualified for life, IMO.

Yeah, I agree. The difference is that good hockey fights are about mutual combat, face to face. This was a sneak attack, like 1941 Japs or 2001 Mohammadens.

[Fierce Allegiance]

I've seen AHL games with stick fights that make the McSorely incident look like childs play.

I agree, if they want to fight, drop the gloves.

[annyokie]

You got that right. High-sticking is alright (sometimes) but this was waaaay too much in my book. Penalty box for life on this one.

[Fierce Allegiance]

While I agree with a big time suspension and some fines that will be a wake-up to any other goon out there, attempted first degree murder is ridiculous. (imo)

[iranger]

"he didnt have any intention of slaming the guys face to the ice"

I'm not worried about his intent. Attacking a guy from behind and then punching him in the back of the head with a hockey glove still on is the equivalent to assault with a deadly weapon. But I say to hell with that, lets charge Bertuzzi with being a first degree wussy. He's not much of a man. I only hope he can understand the shame he has brought upon himself, his team, and his family.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

Would an awareness of the prior threats in this case perhaps change your opinion as to the proper charge?

ok its called retribution,moore took out naslund,bertuzzi gets even,but that goes horribly wrong,im a hockey player,and the code on the ice is,you dont get mad,you get even,sadly this time around it went horribly wrong

bertuzzi should be suspended for the rest of the season but thats it,mooore will be back on the ice soon too,

but for the cops and all that to get involved is too far,this is no easy sport,in fact its one of the toughest,and contact hitting and fighting is all part of the game,and for the last couple seasons bettman keeps wanting to take away any of the things thats made hockey what it is

Regards

[B Knotts]

I've seen the video a number of times, as from what I can tell, here's what happened:

1. Bertuzzi sees a chance to go after Moore
2. Moore turns his back on him
3. Bertuzzi takes a pop at him from behind, grabbing him in the process
4. Bertuzzi and Moore go down on the ice, probably because Moore is unconscious, or in the process of getting that way
5. Several Avs "help" their teammate by piling on top of Bertuzzi and Moore

I sure as heck don't see any intention to seriously injure Moore on the part of Bertuzzi. Like you said, there have been a lot worse attacks. And Moore's attack on Naslund wasn't exactly brave, either.

Yeah, it was reckless, but so are a lot of things that happen in a hockey game.

The suspension is fair, but to claim he should be prosecuted for attempted murder is absolutely goofy.

[You Dirty Rats]

In order to successfully convict someone of attempted first degree murder, you would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Bertuzzi actually intended to kill Moore.

I'm not aware that Bertuzzi or anyone else connected with the Canucks issued a death threat, but perhaps you have inside information that has not yet reached the media.

Otherwise, you are just making a ridiculous statement.

[thoughtomator]

Given the prior, public threats to do grievous injury, combined with an actual grievous injury (broken neck is no joke), it's really not that far from attempted murder. Intent to do injury is already beyond dispute, and the extra act of slamming him into the ice is plausibly evidence that the injury was intended to be grievous.

Anyway, I said "almost". I admit it would be hard to convict him on, but a good scare would do the NHL a lot of good.

[Charles Henrickson]

Burke the Jerk: Taking it out on the media 'cause his player-thug pulled a cowardly, dastardly act.