Bertuzzi will not play for the remainder of this season, including the entire Stanley Cup playoffs. The suspension remains open-ended, with his return to the NHL to be determined prior to training camp next season.
In addition, the Canucks have been fined $250,000.
Bertuzzi was suspended for his attack on Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche, during a game last Monday. Moore remains hospitalized with a neck fracture, a concussion and deep cuts on his face.
Colin Campbell, the league's NHL Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations, made the announcement today, the day after a one-hour hearing in Toronto, which was attended by Bertuzzi and Canucks' general manager Brian Burke.
"Mr. Bertuzzi pursued Mr. Moore on the ice, attempting to engage him in a confrontation," said Campbell, in a statement released by the league. "When Mr. Moore declined to engage Mr. Bertuzzi, Mr. Bertuzzi responded by delivering a gloved punch from behind to the side of Mr. Moore's head, rendering him unconscious. Upon falling to the ice, Mr. Moore suffered additional serious injuries. We want to make clear that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in the NHL."
"No final determination on the total duration of Mr. Bertuzzi's suspension has yet been made. Mr. Bertuzzi will be required to meet with Commissioner Bettman prior to the start of training camp for the 2004-05 season, at which point Mr. Bertuzzi's eligibility will be reviewed in light of all the available facts at that time, including Mr. Moore's physical status and the progression of his recovery."
"While we are satisfied that the Vancouver organization did nothing to affirmatively encourage Mr. Bertuzzi's actions, and that it in no way condones what transpired, it must nonetheless accept some responsibility for what took place. In light of numerous player comments about Mr. Moore following the Vancouver-Colorado game of February 16, we believe the Vancouver organization ultimately bears some responsibility for monitoring and, to the extent necessary, attempting to moderate the focus of its team."
"While the League provided appropriate advance warnings to both organizations, and while some steps were apparently taken by the Vancouver organization to ensure a proper focus by the players on the game itself, we believe that more could have and should have been done."
Bertuzzi's penalty is among the longest suspensions in NHL history. Only one other player has received similar treatment. In March of 2000, Marty McSorley of the Boston Bruins was banned for the season, after he knocked out Vancouver's Donald Brashear by swinging a stick at his head. McSorley, an aging fringe player, missed 23 regular season games. The Bruins did not make the playoffs.
The situation is much different for Bertuzzi, one of hockey's best forwards and a key member of a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
On Wednesday night, after returning from his hearing at league offices, Bertuzzi made a brief, tearful statement to reporters.
"Steve, I just want to apologize for what happened out there. I had no intention of hurting you, I feel awful for what transpired," said Bertuzzi, head hung low. "To Steve's family, I am sorry you had to go through this. I am so sorry about what happened out there.
"I am relieved to hear that Steve is going to have a full recovery, it means a lot to me to hear that that is going to happen. I want to apologize to Mr. Burke, (Canucks' owner) Mr. McCaw and the Vancouver Canucks organization and to my teammates."
The incident remains under criminal investigation by the Vancouver police.
