Canucks' Bertuzzi faces assault charges

Vancouver Canucks Todd Bertuzzi faces the media in Vancouver. PHOTO: REUTERS

Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi was charged with assault on Thursday for a March 8 attack from behind upon Colorado rival Steve Moore in a National Hockey League game.

Canada's of the Attorney General charged Bertuzzi on Thursday with assault causing bodily harm and ordered him to appear in provincial court on July 9.

As a result of the incident, Bertuzzi was banned by the league for the final 13 games of the NHL season and all of the playoffs, his absence contributing to a first-round exit at the hands of eventual Stanley Cup finalist Calgary.

"The matter is now before the courts and we will continue to support Todd and his family throughout this process," Canucks general manager Dave Nonis said.

Police the matter for four months before charges were filed against Betrtuzzi, 29, who made a tearful apology to Moore two nights after the incident, one that made him a target for critics of excessive hockey violence.

Moore, 25, was hospitalized with severe neck and back injuries after Bertuzzi grabbed him from behind in the third period with the Avalanche ahead 8-2, punching Moore in the head and slamming Moore's head onto the ice.

Whether not Moore will ever return to the NHL is still uncertain.

"Our main concern remains for him to fully recover from this unfortunate incident," Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said.

"It is our intention to cooperate with the authorities should members of our organization be called upon to do so."

Bertuzzi, who had 17 goals and 43 assists in 69 games, lost more than US$500,000 in salary as a result of the suspension and is not eligible for reinstatement until after a meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

In a statement, NHL vice president and chief legal officer Bill Daly said the league was hoping its punishment was enough and hoped charges would not have been filed against Bertuzzi.

"We believe the league rendered an appropriate decision, one that was stern and swift. We did what we believe was right, for the players involved and the sport as a whole," Daly said.