NHL suspends Bertuzzi for rest of season

TORONTO -- Todd Bertuzzi of the Vancouver Canucks was suspended for the rest of this season and perhaps longer on Thursday for attacking Colorado's Steve Moore.

In addition, the NHL will determine before the start of training camp when the All-Star forward can return.

The Canucks were also fined $250,000.

"This is not a part of our game, it has no place in our game and it will not be tolerated in our game," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a conference call Thursday.

Bertuzzi sat out Wednesday's 1-1 tie with Minnesota and will miss the final 12 games of the regular season, forfeiting at least $500,000. The suspension will amount to a minimum of 17 games if the Canucks make the playoffs and are swept in a first-round series.

Bertuzzi is Vancouver's second-leading scorer with 17 goals and 43 assists.

Bertuzzi slugged Moore in the side of the head late in Monday night's 9-2 victory by the Avalanche. He hit Moore from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore is out for the season with a broken neck.

-- AP