Reactions to the Bertuzzi Incident
On March 8th, Vancouver Canucks Todd Bertuzzi punched Colorado Avalanche Steve Moore from behind. Moore suffered a concussion, facial lacerations, and two broken vertebrae as a result of Bertuzzi’s act. Due to losing consciousness after the punch, Moore cannot remember the 20 minutes before and after him being hit. He hopes to return to the game eventually but has focused all his attention onto making a full recovery. “Since that game in Vancouver, my main concern has just been to regain my full health and take one day at a time. I am certainly anxious for my injuries to heal, and I’m anxious to get going on the rehab and hopefully get back to playing,†Moore said in a press conference.
The NHL reacted quickly to the incident and suspended Bertuzzi for the rest of the season, including the playoffs. Bertuzzi is expected to lose around $500,000 in salary for the 13 games he will have missed during the regular season and at least four games in the playoffs. The Vancouver Canucks were also dealt with a $250,000 fine issued in a statement by Colin Campbell, the NHL executive vice-president and director of hockey operations. “While we are satisfied that the Vancouver organization did nothing to affirmatively encourage Mr. Bertuzzi’s actions, and that it in no way condones what transpired, it must nonetheless accept some responsibility for what took place,” Campbell said.
After Bertuzzi’s punishment was determined, it appeared that nearly everyone involved in the league had an opinion about the punishment. “I think that the league did a good job handing down a punishment. What he did was something that we definitely do not need in our game. Steve Moore was a young guy and his career could be over because of that. Things like that and any stick infractions, we want to eliminate those,†Detroit Red Wings center Jason Williams said.
Some felt that the incident helped to justify claims that the sport has gotten out of hand. “Everybody who is a non-hockey person and doesn’t like the sport sees it as a sport that is outside the line and a game without discipline. The non-hockey people look at that incident as justifiable. What he did is inexcusable to hit a player who can’t see where the punch is coming from,†Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Barry Smith said. The punch gave both Moore and the game itself a black eye. “It gave the league and the game of hockey a real black eye,†Community Relations Manager of the Detroit Red Wings said.
Many individuals worry about the impact this incident may have on fans and younger children playing the game. “You just hope that parents and coaches who come across questions from the kids that see it on TV and you know most of them have respond properly. Some coaches may say its just part of the game and you need to look out for that stuff. I hope they go in the opposite direction. The coaches should tell their players that it was a mistake and something that Todd Bertuzzi would love to take back, but that it isn’t part of the game and it can’t be part of the game,†Detroit Red Wings Mark Mowers said.
In a recent press conference, Steve Moore talked about the affect this episode has on the game. “I think that type of stuff doesn’t have any place in the game. We have a tremendous game, this game of hockey, and I think this incident has made the image of this game suffer. That’s unfortunate, and I sincerely hope nothing like this ever happens again,” Moore said.
The Canucks held a press conference where Bertuzzi addressed Steve Moore, Moore’s family, and the fans. “Steve, I just want to apologize for what happened out there. But I had no intention on hurting you. And I feel awful for what transpired. To the fans of hockey and the fans of Vancouver, for the kids who watch this game: I’m truly sorry. I don’t play the game that way; I’m not a mean-spirited person. And I’m sorry for what happened,†Bertuzzi said.
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