Bertuzzi Reinstated to NHL After Suspension

Fox News & AP ^ | August 8, 2005

[freepatriot32]

NEW YORK — Vancouver Canucks (search) forward Todd Bertuzzi (search), whose blindside punch left Colorado's Steve Moore (search) with a broken neck, was reinstated by the NHL on Monday.

Bertuzzi was suspended for the final 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. His banishment continued throughout last season's NHL lockout, which kept Bertuzzi from playing in the World Cup of Hockey last September and the past two world championships.

He also was barred from playing in any European league last season.

[MarineBrat]

Is there still a "NHL"?

[Gator101]

Call me crazy but I think that any player punishments should have been carried over to the next year as if the lockout year never occurred. Hardly seems fair that he benefits this way from the lockout and gets to start the season.

In the interest of disclosure: I am an Avalanche fan.

[Moral Hazard]

He should have been barred from being outside a prison. Of course for some reason they seem to like that kind of stuff in hockey. That's a big part of why the NHL has no credibility as a serious sports league.

[Alberta's Child]

You have a good point, but he wasn't suspended for any specific period of time -- he was suspended indefinitely and was going to be reinstated whenever the NHL deemed fit.

[Gator101]

Is there still a "NHL"?

That remains to be seen. The NHL better have a much improved product to get me back. I am giving them about 3 weeks to impress me. If not...go Broncos!

[MarineBrat]

I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 60's and 70's. The Penguins were always the league doormat, and so I never followed hockey, though I did go to one game at the Civic Arena when a friend had passes to Rockwell International's "Sky Box" seats. I was so naive that I remember wondering why the game was over when it was only the end of the "3rd quarter!" :)

Go Stillers!

[Gator101]

That's true. Now that you mention it, I remember that it was for an unspecified amount of time.

They should have made it for "X number of games played by his team".

[thoughtomator]

The fact that they would even consider letting this guy back on the ice is the epitome of reasons why hockey is a declining sport. "Screw sportsmanship, let's have some casualties!" seems to be the attitude.