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Canucks lawyer: Scandalous allegations in Moore lawsuit

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 6:02 PM EST 21/01/08

Alan D'Silva refers to reports of testimony made in the discovery phase ...Read the full article

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  1. Canadian Infidel from Cranbrook, B.C., Canada writes: The Canuck's Lawyer should already have this info, 'for it's an absolute fact that Marc Crawford and other Canuck Management brought this on'. The NHL Commissioner knew this also! The tapes of the conversation with the NHL and the Canucks should be sought as evidence. However bad this might be, 'the same is true with respect to Moore and Nasland'. Coach's and Management not only knew what was going on, but also fostered these incidents, and the NHL is implicated 'as it's aware and did little other than address the one Player involved. This is an 'injustice that cannot stand. Charges should be pending for all parties, the NHL, Managements of Both Teams, the NHL, Bertuzee and including Mr. Moore if there is a desire to stop this in the future. Get to the bottom of these 'rumors and lies'!
  2. JIm Smith from writes: I wonder if Jason Blake's parents are going to sue for the mental anguish of having to watch their son get sucker punched by Downie?

    According the the Toronto media that should be worth at least 5 million to them for that 'brutal attack'.
  3. JIm Smith from writes: Moore is the type of 'cheap shot artist' that so many on you are trying to get out of the NHL, yet you unconditionally support him. Your hypocrisy is kinda funny. Downie should be banned for life for bodychecking, yet the angel Moore did nothing wrong. At least have a tad of consistency.

    It reminds me of his brother writing a book about the culture of violence in hockey and the lack of respect for the health of other players. Then in next breath saying the repeated head shots leveled on opponents by his brother were just fine. Just the ones against the Moores are bad, the ones they dish out are just fine.
  4. Greg Naydiuk from United States writes: Thank you Canadian Infidel from Cranbrook - its so enlightening for the rest of us to benefit from you direct knowledge in the case - how did you get into the Canucks dressing room?
  5. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: Reading comments on this story has always been something of a sociological study to me. I never fail to be amazed at the number of people who suggest that Moore 'deserved' what happened to him simply because he body-checked someone.

    It must be refreshing to be able to simply detach yourself from reality like that. Let's paint another scenario for you... you're in a bar and you bump into someone and he spills his drink on you. You, in turn, push him a few times... maybe a punch is thrown and you both puff out your chests like a couple of chimps in heat. Does that mean the guy is allowed to get his friend to beat you to death with a baseball bat?

    What kind of human being honestly believes that an exponential escalation of violence... under ANY circumstances... is the rational method of solving conflict? Are you even remotely aware of how incredibly ignorant you sound?

    Even IF Moore is a thug... and there's precious little evidence to suggest that he is... he doesn't deserve to die for it (or even NEARLY die for it). Bertuzzi's attack was ludicrously out of proportion with Moore's alleged crime. To suggest otherwise is simply... well... come on, JIm... give us a taste of what a sociopath says in response to criticism.
  6. Larry Robinson from white Rock, Canada writes: My partner was sitting knitting while I watched yesterday's football games. She knows nothing about sports.

    The announcer said '... he's going to have to get angy and hit some people ..'.

    She was shocked and went into a diatribe similar to some of the above comments.

    Fact is, what goes on between the lines/boards/ropes/rings stays there and should be dealt with by the governing bodies. Putting sport into the context of civil litigation is the ultimate exercise in homogenized, protectionist societal accommodation.

    In other words, Mr. Moore .... shaddup.
  7. are u serious from Canada writes: So Larry, you're saying you told your spousal unit to shut up? That's all we need to know about what century you're living in.
  8. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: Coach didn't say 'get him'?

    Yeah, right.

    Let's interview everyone who was in the dressing room that night.
  9. Denis R. from Windsor, Ontario, Canada writes: Mr. JIm Smith,

    I fail to understand how the actions of Steve Moore against Marcus Naslund and those of Todd Bertuzzi on Moore can be compared. Even if one concedes that the hit Moore put on Naslund was a cheap shot, the fact remains the referees and the NHL did not think the incidence was significant enough to warrant penalties or suspensions. Were the refs and the NHL not hard enough on Moore? Perhaps they weren't.

    Regardless of that, the actions of Bertuzzi towards Moore were what they were: a reprisal from an incidence that took place in a previous game. I am not naïve enough to think that players and coaches don't take matters in their own hands and seek retribution. This is something that is done regularly in the NHL as it is in lower levels of hockey. And quite frankly, probably in many other sports.

    The problem here is that Bertuzzi hit Moore from behind with all the intent to hurt him and the result was exactly that. If Moore had not been hurt as he did, Bertuzzi would have probably only received a few games and this matter would have been done with. And with this matter having turned into a legal matter and not simply an NHL disciplinary problem, none of the outcomes we as fans expect from such actions matter. The law will deal with this issue as it should.

    One thing, Mr. Smith, we cannot forget, the injuries sustained by Moore were not his doing, regardless of whether you like him or not. Bertuzzi took away is livelihood, even if he was considered a fringe player. He also took away if future earnings, likely something he will never replace with any other employment. If you were him, how much would that be worth to you?
  10. Jennifer Rollison from Canada writes: I was very interested in this issue before Bertuzzi hit Moore. All of the sports editorials at the time were calling for retribution for Moores hit on Naslund. It was a feeding frenzy. Then, when Bertuzzi followed through all the papers were aghast. It was truly astonishing. I love to read editorials and this event was very well covered.
  11. bob saunders from Canada writes: believe Mr Moore has a university degree, is able to work, and is not crippled or impaired Physically or mentally from working. Mr Bertuzzi was found guilty and pleady guilty to assaut and served the sentence the judge handed out plus the suspension from the NHL. Mr Moore is entitled under the law to sue for damages. His parents are bloodsuckers, they are not entitled to anything. All three Moore brothers play with high elbows, if you know what I mean. Earlier this year Bertuzzi was blindside by a minisota player and missed quite a few games with a cuncussion, the year before back sugery because of all the crosschecks he received. My point is Hockey is a mean, rugged sport, not for wimps. I think Moore must have been bragging in the dressing room about getting away free for his headshot on Naslund, thats why the Colorado coach put him out, knowing full well he had a target on him. Moore was willing to fight a little guy like Cooke but afraid to deal with Bert.
  12. Larry Robinson from white Rock, Canada writes: are u .... You offer an assumption followed by a conclusion then a personal attack. To paraphrase your comment 'That's all we need to know about what century you're living in.'

    In short you are exhibiting totalitarian thought and censorship. Would have been at home in some parts of Europe in 1930.

    The tyranny of the righteous and correct.
  13. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: Nonis already admitted that there was pressure on the players to retaliate against Moore.

    Be honest and accept their part of the blame as Bertuzzi has done.

    Moore was only a borderline player used for his 'enforcement' abilities.
  14. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Once again, you people sit here and make misconceptions about an event you know nothing about. Evelyn, Nonis said no such thing. In the media, he referred to what was said in the leadup to the game in question. The coach did indeed say he must 'pay the price', but not in the context described. (No blackboard, name on the board, pointing to it, etc)

    This is a comment, 'he must pay the price', that is uttered in every hockey locker room, every football locker room, and any sport where there is an adversarial relationship with your opponent. It is no big deal, except in the hands of a shyster lawyer like Moore's , who is just earning his money, getting his side out there.

    Get your stories from a wide variety of media, then judge it for yourself people.

    Quit acting like you know it all, especially Canadian Infidel, your post reads like you are a lawyer working for Moore too.
  15. Larry Robinson from white Rock, Canada writes: The Duke of Wellington allegedly said the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.

    Personal opinions about public schools in England aside, what goes on the playing fields is determined by the people on the playing fields.

    Except of course today where nobody is compelled to go on the playing field and if they do, all manner of rights and laws apply to ensure their protection from playing field incidents and participants, and accommodation by those standing outside of the playing field ready to rush to their defence.
  16. John Smith from Canada writes: Larry Robinson from white Rock, perhaps you should consider taking up knitting. Your knowledge of sports, economics and political theory is clearly lacking - perhaps something else can fill your day.
  17. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: What of the NHL in all of this? Can they be found liable at all in this and for what reasons? Mr Robinson suggests;

    'Fact is, what goes on between the lines/boards/ropes/rings stays there and should be dealt with by the governing bodies.'

    I would tend to agree but what it the governing body proves to be incompetent? Are there any other professonal sports that have a list of repeat offenders similar to the NHL? The constant debating of the NHL's suspensions leads me to believe that the effectiveness of their policy is suspect at best. Should the NHL not provide some type of criteria for suspendable actions and not allow for decisions to be so arbitrarily?

    It should prove to be intersting, if indeed these scandalous allegations prove to have legs.
  18. Canadian Infidel from Cranbrook, B.C., Canada writes: dan vanman from vancouver>Quit acting like you know it all, especially Canadian Infidel, your post reads like you are a lawyer working for Moore too. I neither support Moore or Bertuzzi. I simply believe that if there is blame for 'Bertuzzi', so is there for 'Moore' whom was not dealt with properly by the NHL Commissioner. I further believe as others have posted 'that Management and Coachs are always behind these matters, otherwise they would have benched the players in question'. This 'never happens'! I submit then the wrongdoing was obviously 'Bertuzzi's Doing', however this resulted from 'Moore's actions on Nasland where the NHL's Decision to do nothing simply gave notice to Management and Coach that they had to settle this matter' because the league wasn't. So all parties to this fiasco must be held accountable and responsible, 'not just Bertuzzi'! The actual facts of how the NHL, Management or Coach's operated in this matter is important, 'but moreso is their habit's which in fact become their own laws through their own action or inaction'. This is self evident to anyone familiar with Hockey and as some have said here 'in all Sport'. For a lawyer to mouth off, 'that his client's had nothing to do with this matter' is therefore ludicrous!'
  19. John Medrzycki from Vancouver, Canada writes: Why is it that, very quickly, instead of a reasonable, entertaining conversation, this board evolves into name-calling (or worse)?

    It really is very tiresome - and juvenile.

    Read the comments, admit where there are some truths, debate the points that you feel are wrong, and offer some comments backing your point of view.

    That would be refreshing - and a hell of a lot more interesting.
  20. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Sorry Infidel, I misunderstood your post. Yes, there is blame enough to go all aroound in this case. The NHL shouold have done something more when Moore tried to take Nazzy's head off. They shoud have been more forceful in their instructions to both teams. Hindsight is 20/20 though sir.

    I agree their is enough blame to go around too. I disagree with everyone that makes Crawfowd out as some kind of villian in this soap opera. What was said, detailed in my last post, is something that is said in locker rooms across the nation, in hockey, football, or any adversarial sport.

    The Canucks lawyer is, legally, right. His client did have nothing to do with the actual event of Bertuzzi punching Moore from behind.

    Puitting the entire sport on trial is wrong too. This case screams for a settlement. Hopefully, all parties, including Moore (who is playing the victim for all its worth) will come to that same determination.

    BTW- I am not saying Moore deserved it, or is faking his pain. He is guilty of overacting, and not taking responsibility for his own actions in this fiasco.
  21. Larry Robinson from white Rock, Canada writes: Jude -- I totally agree with your point.

    If a boxing match goes sideways and there is a terrible injury(more than most), the local boxing commission, referee and ring doctor are hauled on the carpet. And boxing is most certainly not at the pinnacle of sports ethics and responsibility.

    The NHL controls the league, the product, and their officials supposedly control the game.

    I do not see Bertuzzi, Moore, Crawford, Nonis as libelous within the context of professional sport.

    Were the officials aware that Moore's hit on Naslund was a provocation that may bring reprisals and, if so, what did they do about it? And does the NHL accept responsibility for its product on the ice, and if not, why not?

    If a pitcher is known for brushing back batters, a linebacker know for late hits or a forward is known for hard fouls .... do the leagues have a talk with player, officials give them greater scrutiny, issue warnings or fines .... you bet.

    The product is what the NHL wants it to be and to rely on outside enforcement of laws to control the game is an abrogation of responsibility by the league.
  22. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Yet another opinion from Toronto...perfect, just what we need, another person that knows little of the culture of the sport being smug, calling people a sociopath. What an idiot you are Another Opinion.... You post berates Jim Smith, when all he did was point out how the game both condones and supports violence. Its a violent game. People get hurt. That being said, the actions of Bertuzzi were far beyond the norm. Thats why he was convicted of assault. Thats why he was out of hockey for a long period of time. "Reading these comments is something of a sociological study for me...". So, you admit that you view those commenting on this story that you don't agree with are sociopaths. Because you say so. "Even IF Moore is a thug", you say. He was. He didn't get a penalty called, but thats not the first time a penalty was missed. Naslund was not the same player the rest of that year, due to the hit to his head. Perhaps he should get to sue Moore too? Moore deserved to be dealt with according to the "code" in hockey. Bertuzzi went way over the line, and is now a convicted felon, the rest of his life. There will be a settlement. Lets hope this story is settled soon,so we don't have to read any more arrogant, insufferable posts from self seving people like Another Opinion.
  23. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: I would suggest that it is in the NHL's best interest if this were settled out of court as others have above. However if this did go to court, could it spell the end of Bettman? Similar to the horrific car crash on the side of the road; you don't want to look but...
  24. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: For dam vanman: Oh PLEASE! "He is guilty of overacting, and not taking responsibility for his own actions in this fiasco." His injuries have ensured he can never play professional hockey again. How is that overacting? A dramatically larger man sucker-punched him from behind and pile-drived his face into the ice. What, specifically, were the actions he is supposed to take responsibility for? Oh right, I forgot. The evil and vicious hit that the League reviewed and did nothing about, because clearly the NHL WANTS their stars taken out and protecting Moore is a big conspiracy on the scale of the Kennedy Assassination. "He didn't get a penalty called, but thats not the first time a penalty was missed." That's right. Moore's hit was dirty because you say it was. Moore is the dirty player because Bertuzzi's history of violent behaviour doesn't count. The "code" states clearly that anyone who throws a check should be murdered on the ice. You call me smug? Spare me. I'm tired of the snivelling and whining about how Moore is the bad guy. Bertuzzi damn near killed him. Full stop. Everything else is just a bad justification defence, and I'm tired of listening to it... Moore had his life destroyed and has every right to seek compensation, and your ridiculous rationalizing won't change that.
  25. Frank Black from Vancouver, Canada writes: Moore was fractured long before Todd entered the scene, he's a phony imo...
  26. Larry Robinson from white Rock, Canada writes: If Moore was a cheap shot artist, and I don't know so will go with the above comments, did he do his little deeds as retaliation or just because he had pathological need to try to injure people?

    Either way, he was not playing by the written rules of the game but by a "code" among players.

    And if Moore played by this code, why would he not expect retaliation under the same code. In short, by being a cheap shot, Moore contributed to his own demise.

    And if the NHL was aware of this 'code' of cheap shots and retaliation then why is Bertuzzi being prosecuted and persecuted?

    For people to suggest Bertuzzi's sin was degree is to admit acceptance of the code. How does anybody guage the final damage of a cheap shot hit?

    "Todd, I want you to give Moore a deep muscle bruise to the deltoids and inflict some ligament damage so that he cannot hold a stick for a month."

    "Ooops! The f...er can't get up. I missed the course on proportional retaliation. Sh.., so did George Bush so what's the problem ....?"
  27. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Replying again in your "know it all" attitude huh Another Opinion. You just don't get it. Not once did I say that Bertuzzi did anything laudable. In fact, I said he went way over the line, and deserved his punishment. He has been convicted of a crime you pinhead. It cost him millions of dollars, and more to come with this civil suit. Everyone involved said that, in retrospect, they blew the call on the head shot to Naslund. His injuries ensured he would never play hockey? OH PLEASE!!! The man, in every media report, hasn't even tried. Players go through what he went through, and come back due to hard work. He hasn't put in that work. That is on him. He knows he will make far more ina civil suit then he ever could have on the ice. The man is a Harvard grad, and has not once looked to even try another career. He wants to be indigent until the case is decided, to ensure maximum bucks. Thats what I meant when i said he has his own responsibilities in this whole fiasco. People like you that KNOW they are always right just don't like when someone calls you on your "opinions", do they? BTW Another Opinion, Bertuzzi was never suspended before, for anything, as far as I know. How is that a "history of violent behaviour"? It isn't anything more than another example of you making things up to forward your argument.
  28. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: BTW "pinhead", reading back on your posts, if anyone is guilty of rationalizing to forward their argument, it is you. FULL STOP! I doubt you ever laced them up, or have done any sport where strenuos activity is needed.

    So, quit trying to disparage those that have. What I am "so sick of" is people that have no idea getting on a high horse because they think they are better. You are not. And your arguments are failed.

    So, just give up...trust me, it'll be easier than your fake indignation anyhow. You'll be healthy, and live longer.

    Have a nice day...
  29. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: For dan vanman: Ah, I see the rational arguments are coming out now. You're both a medical expert and historian because you play in some wanna-be house league once or twice a week and wear an NHL replica jersey. My apologies. I wasn't aware of your impressive credentials. "Everyone involved said that, in retrospect, they blew the call on the head shot to Naslund." Really? The ref didn't call it. The League reviewed it and let it go. Do you have a statement from the League stating "Oops, our bad?" "Players go through what he went through, and come back due to hard work." Really? List three players... hell, list ONE NHL player who sustained three broken vertebrae after being driven into the ice face first. "Bertuzzi was never suspended before, for anything, as far as I know." Buddy, as far as you know the Earth is flat. Bertuzzi HAS been suspended before. Bertuzzi also broke into the league as an enforcer. The scoring touch came later. Just how much do you NOT know anyway? "I doubt you ever laced them up, or have done any sport where strenuos activity is needed." Ah yes, the "I'm a genius because I'm a meathead" argument. Stick with the insults, big guy. Medical expertise and literacy clearly aren't your thing.
  30. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: For dam vanman: "And your arguments are failed. So, just give up...trust me, it'll be easier than your fake indignation anyhow. You'll be healthy, and live longer." Sorry, I was getting bored at this point and failed to notice this little tidbit. My apologies. To respond, allow me to say: I lost an argument because you SAID SO? Oh boo hoo. Woe is me for having dared to challenge some never-has-been who thinks he's an NHL expert. Buddy, if I have to choose between respecting the opinion of some garden variety loser or a Harvard graduate who actually MADE IT to the NHL, it's not as difficult a call as you might think. Moore may have just been a 4th line body, but he made it somewhere 99% of Canadian kids can only dream of getting. To say that his dream of the NHL is LESS valuable or LESS significant because he'll never have Bert's talent sounds like jealousy to me. Moore had 12 pts and 37 pim after 57 games into his first full season in the NHL. In terms of penalties, that wouldn't even put him in the top 200 this season, and he'd have about 10 games in hand. One hit (questionable) hardly makes him a goon, yet you and so many other Bert-lickers go on and on about how Moore is a dirty player. You have no evidence and no clue.
  31. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: Dan Vanman, Bertuzzi got 10 games in 2001 for jumping the bench. Do some research, and you may find that your argument is not only flawed but also narrow minded.
  32. garlick toast from Canada writes: it happened after the whistle,that's what makes it an assault.it happened from behind,that's what makes it a chickensh!t move.it was premeditated.it makes hockey look bad.
  33. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: For Another Opinion, your personal attacks are as flawed as your opinions, and I have grown bored of trying to educate you on something you know nothing about.

    I am done with you.

    As for you Jude, thanks, I believe in that post I said, "as far as I know". I missed that transgression, must have occured on Long Island. And keep your personal attacks to yourself, I have said nothing personal about you, please try to be an adult.

    As for you Another Opinion, I have nothing further to say to you, you just don't get it.

    Its sad how a person just attacks the messenger when they can't refute the message.

    Have a nice day...

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