Todd Bertuzzi, Steve Moore reach settlement in lawsuit

Mar 11, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Todd Bertuzzi (44) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen (19) battle for the puck during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated Detroit 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore have seen their lives intertwined ever since they were the players involved in one of the darkest days in the history of the Vancouver Canucks when Bertuzzi punched Moore from behind, causing the checking forward of the Colorado Avalanche to suffer a broken neck and concussion.

Bertuzzi’s Canucks career was mired by the incident as was his reputation due to making the unfortunate decision to sucker punch Moore from behind, but there are also ramifications legally still as after being tried criminally Bertuzzi and Moore have been dealing with the process of a civil lawsuit for years now.

With Moore never playing hockey again in the NHL, the lawsuit hinges largely on compensating the former Avalanche player for a lost career and the wages that come with it, but the court case has been lengthy as after a decade nothing has been decided in the civil courts between Moore and Bertuzzi.

According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie that is no longer the case, as the two sides have a potential settlement out of court before their trial is set to go on September 8. While nothing is official, McKenzie is reporting that the two sides are in deep discussions on the matter to arrive at an out of court settlement.

Michael Grange of Sportsnet has tweeted this morning that the lawsuit has been settled out of court as well, TCW will update you as more information comes out. Moore was seeking $68 million in damages.