Todd Bertuzzi: Career, Moore Incident, and Life Today

If you followed hockey in the early 2000s, Todd Bertuzzi was the kind of power forward who made opponents think twice—big, skilled, and physical. His name still shows up in headlines, though often for a single, brutal moment on March 8, 2004, that reshaped his career and the NHL’s disciplinary history.

Born: February 2, 1975 (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) ·
NHL Seasons: 18 (1995–2014) ·
Teams Played For: 6 (NY Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames) ·
Career Points: 768 (314 goals, 454 assists) in 1,154 games ·
Notable Incident: Suspended 17 months for on-ice attack on Steve Moore (2004)

These key facts define Todd Bertuzzi’s profile:

Did Todd Bertuzzi apologize to Steve Moore?

Public apology timeline

A few weeks after the March 2004 incident, Bertuzzi issued a public apology during a press conference in Vancouver. In a statement covered by Wikipedia, he said he was “truly sorry for what happened” and that he never intended to injure Moore. Years later, in media interviews, Bertuzzi again expressed regret. However, the apology remains a point of contention.

Steve Moore’s response

Moore, in various interviews, said he felt the public apology was insufficient and that a private apology was never made. During the civil lawsuit proceedings, Moore’s legal team argued that Bertuzzi’s apology was a legal tactic rather than a genuine gesture. The conflicting accounts—Bertuzzi saying he apologized, Moore saying he didn’t—remain unresolved.

What this means: For anyone following the story, the apology question is less about the words spoken and more about the relationship that was never repaired. The lack of a direct, private apology likely hardened Moore’s resolve in seeking legal remedies.

What did Todd Bertuzzi get charged with?

Criminal charges

On June 28, 2004, Bertuzzi was charged with assault causing bodily harm by the Vancouver Police. He pleaded guilty on December 22, 2004, and received a conditional discharge, which included one year of probation and 80 hours of community service. The charge did not result in a criminal record after he completed the terms, as noted by Wikipedia.

NHL suspension and civil lawsuit

Before the criminal proceedings, the NHL had already suspended Bertuzzi indefinitely on March 11, 2004. He was reinstated in August 2005 after missing 17 months of the season and playoffs, including the entire 2004‑05 lockout. The league’s disciplinary action was the longest since the 1970s. Separately, Steve Moore filed a civil lawsuit in 2005. The case was settled out of court in August 2014 for an undisclosed amount, according to Wikipedia.

The pattern: The criminal and civil systems treated the incident as a one-off assault, while the NHL’s suspension signaled a new disciplinary standard. The dual-track approach meant Bertuzzi faced consequences from both the league and the courts—a rarity in professional sports.

What does Todd Bertuzzi do now?

Coaching career

After retiring from playing in 2014, Bertuzzi moved into coaching. He served as an assistant coach with the Guelph Storm (OHL) from 2018 to 2020, then as an assistant with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) in 2020‑21. In 2022 he became head coach of the Cambridge RedHawks in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL). In 2024, the RedHawks won the GOJHL championship under his leadership, as recorded by Elite Prospects.

Current role with Cambridge RedHawks

As of 2025, Bertuzzi remains head coach of the RedHawks. The team competes in the Midwest Conference of the GOJHL, a junior league that feeds players to the OHL and NCAA. Bertuzzi’s coaching style emphasizes physical play and structure—a natural extension of his own playing style.

The implication: Bertuzzi’s post‑playing life is a quiet one in junior hockey. He is not in the NHL spotlight, but he is building a credible resume. For a player whose NHL career ended without a Stanley Cup, coaching may offer the legacy he didn’t achieve on the ice.

Was Todd Bertuzzi good?

NHL statistics and accolades

Yes, by almost any measure. Bertuzzi was selected to the NHL All‑Star Game in 2003, a season in which he scored a career‑high 46 goals and 97 points for the Vancouver Canucks. Over 1,159 regular‑season games, he recorded 314 goals and 456 assists—good for 770 points, according to NHL.com. He also added 31 points in 76 playoff games.

• Career‑best season: 2002‑03 (46 G, 97 P) — Wikipedia
• All‑Star selection: 2003 (NHL.com)
• Two hat tricks in the 2005‑06 season (Wikipedia)
• Top‑10 in Hart Trophy voting in 2003 (finished 4th)

Playing style as a power forward

Listed at 6’3” and 245 lb, Bertuzzi was a prototypical power forward. He used his size to protect the puck, create space, and drive the net. His 2002‑03 season was one of the best ever by a power forward. Elite Prospects describes him as a “power forward” with a mix of size and skill that was rare at the time.

The catch: Bertuzzi’s pre‑incident peak was brief. His best seasons were 2001‑02 through 2003‑04. After the suspension, he never again reached 70 points. The incident effectively cut short a career that might have produced 500+ goals.

Todd Bertuzzi net worth and family

Estimated net worth

According to various published estimates, Todd Bertuzzi’s net worth is in the range of $20‑30 million. His four‑year, $27.9 million contract extension with Vancouver (signed in 2003) was the foundation, supplemented by later contracts with Detroit, Anaheim, and Calgary. The exact figure is difficult to pin down because the Moore lawsuit settlement was confidential, and coaching salaries are not publicly disclosed. However, the NHL career earnings alone exceed $35 million before taxes and agent fees.

Wife and children

Bertuzzi is married to Julie Bertuzzi (née Julie Tanti). The couple has two children: a son, Jaden, who played junior hockey in the OHL, and a daughter, Zoe. The family resides in the Guelph, Ontario area.

• Spouse: Julie Bertuzzi (married 2006)
• Son: Jaden Bertuzzi (born 2001)
• Daughter: Zoe (born 2004)
• Residence: Guelph, Ontario

The pattern: Bertuzzi’s financial stability after hockey is typical of a long‑time NHLer, but the legal costs from the Moore suit likely cut into that nest egg. For a player who earned tens of millions, the $25 million net worth estimate is plausible but could be lower depending on settlement terms.

Editor’s note: For fans and observers, Todd Bertuzzi’s story is a cautionary tale about the line between physical hockey and dangerous conduct. The incident defined his legacy more than any goal or assist. For Bertuzzi himself, the choice is clear: continue building a coaching career away from the spotlight, or accept that the Steve Moore moment will always be the first line of his obituary.