A tearful Todd Bertuzzi apologized Wednesday to Colorado's Steve Moore for the blindside attack that left Moore with a broken neck, a concussion and deep cuts on his face.
"Steve, I just want to apologize for what happened out there. I had no intention of hurting you. I feel awful for what transpired," Bertuzzi said, reading a statement before his Vancouver Canucks played the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.
Bertuzzi made his first public comments since Monday night when he punched Moore in the side of the head during the third period of Colorado's victory.
The NHL was expected to announce the length of his suspension on Thursday.
Bertuzzi, an All-Star forward, spoke from Vancouver after he had an hour-long disciplinary hearing at the NHL office in Toronto. He already has been suspended indefinitely, while Moore is out for the season with a broken neck.
Moore remains hospitalized in Vancouver.
Bertuzzi, who didn't take questions from the assembled media, spoke while standing alongside his wife, Julie, agent Pat Morris and members of the Canucks management staff. He choked up three times during his three-minute address.
"To the game of hockey and the fans of Vancouver, for the kids that watch this game, I am truly story," Bertuzzi said. "I don't play the game that way. I'm not a mean-spirited person and I'm sorry for what happened."
Colin Campbell, the league's vice president and disciplinarian, will issue his penalty ruling Thursday morning.
"The decision has not been reached. Mr. Campbell is going to take some time before he reaches his decision," said Gary Meagher, an NHL spokesman.
Meagher said representatives of the league, Bertuzzi and the players' association watched videotape of the punch and discussed what happened.
B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman and Vancouver police are investigating the punch.
Bertuzzi hit Moore from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first -- with the 245-pound Bertuzzi on top of him -- and lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before he was removed on a stretcher.
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