Surprisingly
Mr. Answer Doesn't Know it All
The question that came through was about Steve Moore's condition. For those of you who don't remember, in 2004, Todd Bertuzzi attacked Steve Moore during a hockey game. The hit from behind left Moore bloody and unconscious on the ice, with a concussion and a broken neck. Without a doubt, it was one of the most brutal hits I've ever seen and the damage Bertuzzi caused was horrifying.
It wasn't hockey, it was a criminal act.
Well, Bertuzzi is back. He was cleared to come back to the league after missing twenty games (13 regular season and 7 in the playoffs) and being banned from European leagues and competition last season while the NHL was on hold.
Steve Moore, though, is still out of the game. Doctors have yet to clear him to play and he may never have the opportunity to play again-which would mean that Bertuzzi missed out on about half a million in salary while Moore could miss out on having a career.
"He is quite disappointed, given he is unable to resume his NHL career and may never resume his NHL career,” Tim Danson, the lawyer representing Moore, told The Canadian Press. "It's disappointing to him that Mr. Bertuzzi is able to resume his career at this particular time. Steve has an uncertain future. He's got health challenges to deal with.
"While he maintains a very positive attitude . . . at this point, he really is in the hands of doctors who will have to make the determination whether or not he will be able to play again."
As to whether the suspension was an acceptable punishment, I'm having a hard time with the answer. My emotional response is that Bertuzzi shouldn't be allowed to play until Moore is medically cleared to take the ice again; that would be emotionally satisfying. But it might not be right.