Posted on 08/27/2004 7:57:13 PM PDT by Hat-Trick
Bertuzzi enters not guilty plea
By The Associated Press
AP / Chuck Stoody
Lawyer Len Doust leads client Todd Bertuzzi and his wife, Julie, to court in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canucks player is standing trial for his hit on Steve Moore.
Vancouver, British Columbia - Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks pleaded not guilty Thursday to an assault charge stemming from a hit on Steve Moore during a game that left the Avalanche forward with a broken neck.
Bertuzzi appeared in court for 10 minutes and did not speak as he left with his wife in a limousine. His four words in court - "Not guilty, your honor" - were his first public utterances since March when he tearfully apologized for his actions.
Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm June 24 after punching Moore from behind and then crashing onto the ice on top of him during the March 8 game. Moore was left with a broken neck and concussion. Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL and missed 20 games.
The two sides return to court Wednesday to try to set a trial date. There will be no preliminary hearing, and the trial will be by judge alone. The maximum penalty Bertuzzi faces is 18 months.
Government lawyer Garth Loeppky told the court he would call several players as witnesses, though he didn't say which. League and game officials and medical staff also will be called. Video evidence will be presented during the trial, which is expected to last three weeks.
Avalanche spokesman Hayne Ellis said Moore's status is unchanged and he's undergoing rehabilitation.
"He has not been medically cleared for anything," said Ellis, adding Moore, an unrestricted free agent, was dividing his time recently between Denver and Massachusetts for his rehabilitation.
Avs captain Joe Sakic, in Ottawa for the World Cup of Hockey, expressed regret the case was going to court.
"In my opinion, I don't think it should be in the courts," Sakic said. "They should let the league handle it."
Bertuzzi's plea came the same day an American Hockey League player was charged in Hamilton, Ontario, in a stick-swinging play that left his opponent convulsing on the ice. Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin used his stick like a baseball bat on the face of Cleveland Barons forward Garrett Stafford in an April game. Stafford suffered a concussion and needed 20 stitches for the gash on his face.
Wish I could say it was part of the game..but if I am walking down the street and suddenly slugged a total stranger in the back of the head and landed on him causing him great bodily harm..I would not only BE in jail during my prelims..but I would be spending time with big bubba mankill in the slammer for some time to come...
Keep it out of the courts,Let this guy handle it. 
Bert needs to go to jail for sure.
I'd let Jody Shelley be the judge.
Can you recall other infamous retribution bouts?
McSorley got sent way down to Juniors, then retired.
Although I believe fighting needs to remain in the game to keep the cheap stickwork in check, What Todd B. did was wrong and he should be punished. It was way out of line. He didn't need to do it. Any wuss can hit a man from behind with stick. Fight him like a man , face to face. He has ruined 2 promising careers.
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