VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Todd Bertuzzi of the
Vancouver Canucks pleaded not guilty Thursday to an assault charge
stemming from a hit on Steve Moore during a game that left the
Colorado Avalanche forward with a broken neck.
Bertuzzi appeared in court for 10 minutes and did not speak as
he left with his wife in a limousine. His four words in court --
"Not guilty, your honor" -- were his first public utterances since
March when he tearfully apologized for his actions.
Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm on June 24
after punching Moore from behind and then crashing onto the ice on
top of him during the March 8 game. Moore was left with a broken
neck and concussion. Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL
and missed 20 games.
The two sides return to court Wednesday to try to set a trial
date. There will be no preliminary hearing, and the trial will be
by judge alone. The maximum penalty Bertuzzi faces is 18 months.
Government lawyer Garth Loeppky told the court he would call
several players as witnesses, though he didn't say which ones.
League and game officials and medical staff also will be called.
Video evidence will be presented during the trial, which is
expected to last three weeks.
Avalanche spokesman Hayne Ellis said Thursday Moore's status is
unchanged and he's still undergoing rehabilitation.
"He has not been medically cleared for anything," said Ellis,
adding Moore, an unrestricted free agent, was dividing his time
recently between Denver and Massachusetts for his rehabilitation.
Avalanche captain Joe Sakic expressed regret the case was going
to court.
"In my opinion, I don't think it should be in the courts,"
Sakic said from training camp in Ottawa, where the Canadian team is
training for the World Cup of Hockey. "They should let the league
handle it."
Ed Jovanovski, another Team Canada player and a Bertuzzi
teammate, added: "We're all supporting Todd. I've said from Day 1
I think the league has done a good enough job policing the game and
I think what Todd has faced is severe enough, missing the last
handful of games and missing the playoffs."
Bertuzzi's plea came the same day an American Hockey League
player was charged in Hamilton, Ontario, in a stick-swinging play
that left his opponent convulsing on the ice. Hamilton Bulldogs
forward Alexander Perezhogin used his stick like a baseball bat on
the face of Cleveland Barons forward Garrett Stafford in an April
game. Stafford sustained a concussion and needed 20 stitches for
the gash on his face.