Detroit Red Wings sign Bertuzzi

For the second time in his career Todd Bertuzzi is a Detroit Red Wing. Since the Red Wings have a policy against releasing details of contracts to the press, the amount of the one year deal is as of yet undisclosed. Bertuzzi will add some much needed grit and nastiness to a Red Wings roster that has lacked both in recent seasons.

Bertuzzi was originally a first round draft pick (23rd overall) of the New York Islanders way back in 1993, but never became a force in the NHL until a draft day trade in 1998 sent him to the Vancouver Canucks. There he blossomed into a tough gritty forward capable of helping a team make deep playoff runs.

Of Course Bertuzzi’s ccareer will forever be overshadowed by the dark cloud cause by the incident with Steve Moore. After several clashes between the Canucks and Moore’s Colorado Avalanche, Bertuzzi tried to provoke Moore into a fight, when this failed Bertuzzi grabbed Moore from behind and punched him in the side of the head. that act, and the resulting melee left Moore with three fractured vertebrate and effectively ended his playing career.

Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL, and the International Ice Hockey Federation. He was also charged with assault causing bodily harm. After serving a years probation he was reinstated with to the NHL.

In his first stint with the Red Wings, he was acquired from the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline during the 2006-07 season. Bertuzzi played in eight regular season games, and 16 playoff games as the Wings failed to win a Stanley Cup that year.