Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, whose unprovoked punch from behind during a game left Colorado's Steve Moore with a broken neck, was reinstated by the National Hockey League 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 in September last year, as well as the past two World Championships.
He also was barred from playing in any European league last season.
Bertuzzi and Moore met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for Bertuzzi's reinstatement hearing on April 26.
The Vancouver right wing needed the commissioner's approval before being allowed back into the league.
"I find that the appropriate discipline to be imposed for Mr Bertuzzi's conduct on March 8, 2004 is the suspension that has been served to date," Bettman said in a statement.
The suspension cost Bertuzzi US$501,926.39 in salary. He is due to earn US$5,269,333 from the Canucks in the upcoming season.
Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely following the attack. Moore was left with a broken neck, a concussion and uncertain if he will ever be able to return as a player.
The NHL waited over a year to hold Bertuzzi's hearing because of the lockout. Bettman waited nearly four more months to announce his decision to let him onto the ice.
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