Moore Lawsuit

[franko]

And in other hockey news . . .

Moore launches lawsuit, leaves NHL out
TSN.ca Staff
2/17/2005

According to the Denver Post, former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore has filed a lawsuit related to injuries he suffered after being attacked by Vancouver Canucks' forward Todd Bertuzzi in a game last March.

TSN report

[BadCompany]

VERY interesting timing. I wonder if its a coincidence, or if they deliberately waited to see if there would be a season. From what I have read, one of the reasons the Moores have held off on lawsuit was because of the potential damage it could do to his brother's career, who is currently lighting it up for the Ranger's affiliate. There was a fear that the "old boys" network in the NHL would blacklist Dominick, if Steve went through with the lawsuit.

With no hope for hockey this year (and maybe not next year), Dominick's career might be on thin ice anyways. I wonder if they decided to go for the juggular BECAUSE the season was cancelled?

[IamCanadiens]

BadCompany said:

VERY interesting timing. I wonder if its a coincidence, or if they deliberately waited to see if there would be a season.

I doubt it. I think its the simple fact that if a suit was filed it had to be done within a year of the incident.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Markus Naslund blasts Moore lawsuit

Canadian Press
2/21/2005

Markus Naslund has weighed in on the Steve Moore lawsuit.

The Canucks captain told the Vancouver Sun that the lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi and others is a money grab by a player who simply isnt good enough to make a living in the NHL.

"He's suing everyone so he can make money," Naslund told the Vancouver Sun from Sweden. "I've got no respect for him at all.

"Even talking to his teammates, it seems evident he doesn't have a lot of support in hockey."

Moore has been unable to play since Bertuzzi sucker-punched him during a game in Vancouver on March 8. He sustained cracked vertebrae and a concussion, from which he continues to suffer.

"This is just a guy who's trying to hit a home run (financially)," Naslund said to the Sun. "Someone who wasn't good enough to play.

"I'm not saying what (Bertuzzi did) was right. But if it was me, I'd be doing everything I could to get back and play and show everyone the character I have . . . instead of trying to sue everyone."

Moore, now an unrestricted free agent, is suing Canucks Bertuzzi and Brad May, Vancouver coach Marc Crawford, former general manager Brian Burke and the hockey club for unspecified damages.

Moore claims the defendants conspired to injure him.

"This isn't about the hit," Naslund told the paper of his feelings toward Moore. "Hockey players take hits and give hits."

Bertuzzi pleaded guilty in December to a charge of assault causing bodily harm and received a conditional discharge. He remains suspended indefinitely by the NHL.

With files from the Vancouver Sun and CP

[CentreHice]

M. said:

"This is just a guy who's trying to hit a home run (financially)," Naslund said to the Sun. "Someone who wasn't good enough to play.

"I'm not saying what (Bertuzzi did) was right. But if it was me, I'd be doing everything I could to get back and play and show everyone the character I have . . . instead of trying to sue everyone.

Nobody knows what they would do if they had a couple of neck vertebrae fractured. If Moore's not good enough to play in the first place, why didn't a clearly superior Naslund display his character as captain (and impetus for the revenge) by telling his teammates and coach, "Guys, just leave him alone. He's a lousy hockey player. I'll get him back and good...cleanly. We're playing great hockey right now...let's focus on first place and the Cup."

Moore has every right to sue these people. I'm not against the Canucks or Bertuzzi here....I'd be saying the same thing if it had been Begin who inflicted the same injuries to Moore as revenge for a dirty hit on Koivu.

[Montrealer]

Markus Naslund is now on my Idiots List.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

The lawsuit alleges a hard check on Naslund by Moore in a Feb. 16, 2004, game in Denver set the stage for the alleged conspiracy that resulted in Bertuzzi assaulting Moore three weeks later in Vancouver.

"Following the (Feb. 16) game, but before leaving Denver, defendants Bertuzzi, May, Crawford and Burke entered into an unlawful plan and agreement to assault, batter and injure Moore at a future date, in retaliation for the injuries which Naslund had suffered during the game," says Moore's complaint.

In support of the allegation, which has not been proven in court, his lawsuit contains quotes attributed to Bertuzzi and May in the media.

The suit suggests the plan to injure Moore was aided by Crawford and Burke. It says "Crawford and Burke openly urged the Canucks players including Bertuzzi and May to retaliate against Moore."

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