Even seven years later, the video clip is still disturbing.
Todd Bertuzzi follows Steve Moore around the ice, like a shark stalking its prey. He tugs onto Moore's jersey with one hand and then punches Moore in the back of the head. Bertuzzi, as well as several other players from both teams, then land atop Moore as he falls to the ice.
The train wreck of March 8, 2004, is still etched clearly in my mind. At the time, I was a pretty big Colorado Avalanche fan and was having a great time mocking my close friend about the 8-2 score at his house. Thinking back, it was a totally surreal moment. It was almost like something out of pro wrestling and I couldn't believe Bertuzzi actually attacked Moore like that.
It's been seven years and Moore claims he's still suffering the effects of the brutal attack. Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm but arranged a plea bargain and was given a conditional discharge in B.C. court. Moore then filed a civil suit, followed by Bertuzzi and the Canucks filing counter claims, followed again by Bertuzzi and Canucks head coach Marc Crawford doing the same. Bertuzzi is claiming that he was following Crawford's orders to make Moore "pay the price" for the hit that took out Markus Naslund. Crawford is claiming the exact opposite that Bertuzzi acted in "direct disobedience."
In short, the entire situation is a total mess and this case could make O.J. Simpson's trial look like child's play.
Apparently, by next month we should find out a date for the civil court case to begin but the one thing that will never be salvaged is Moore's career.
We've made some remarkable strides since 2004 as far as learning about brain injuries and concussions and I think all the people who were questioning Moore's injuries should realize just how serious Bertuzzi's attack was. In recent months we've seen former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson commit suicide to donate his brain to science, we've learned that hockey enforcer Bob Probert's brain had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and we've seen hockey's brightest star, Sidney Crosby, unable to return to action this season after a shot to the head.
The trial and its results will have a huge impact on the future of the NHL. Bertuzzi's lawyers will be trying to deflect blame onto teams and the culture of the league and it might just work.
Bertuzzi has kept quiet about the trial, including refusing to answer a total of 63 questions at one of the depositions, but that won't cut it in court. Bertuzzi will be forced to talk and we could get a look deep inside a dressing room and the culture of a pro hockey team.
And there's a good chance we won't like what we see.
