Steve Moore Steve Moore ( born September 22 , 1978 ) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre , perhaps best known for his role in a series of controversial incidents with the Vancouver Canucks that ultimately led to the end of his playing career . Brothers Moore . Steve , his older brother , Mark , and younger brother , Dominic , all played four - years at Harvard University . Because of their relative closeness in age , all three were able to play in the same year for Harvard during the 1999 – 2000 season . Dominic also went on to play in the NHL , and is a member of the Buffalo Sabres . NHL playing career . He was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft in the second round , being 53rd pick overall . Moore played in 69 games for the Avalanche from 2001 to 2004 , scoring five goals and seven assists before being seriously injured by Todd Bertuzzi who at the time played for the Vancouver Canucks . Due to continued post - concussion syndrome , Colorado opted not to give him a qualifying offer after his rookie contract expired . To date Moore has not returned to professional hockey . Moore , via his lawyer Tim Danson , filed a civil lawsuit against both Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks in a Colorado court . It was dismissed as the judge felt that British Columbia was the more appropriate location . The Bertuzzi incident . On February 16 , 2004 , during a Vancouver - Colorado game , Moore injured Canucks team captain Markus Näslund by checking him in the head area while Näslund was over extending for a puck ahead of him with his head down . No penalty was called on the play , but Näslund suffered a concussion and a bone chip in his elbow as a result of the hit , and missed three games . Moore ' s hit on Näslund drew much criticism from the Canucks and their fans , but the NHL ruled that the hit was not illegal and did not fine or suspend Moore . Canucks head coach Marc Crawford and general manager Brian Burke publicly criticized the non - call by the referees on the incident . Vancouver players indicated that they would get even with Moore , with left winger Brad May stating that he would put a bounty on Moore ' s head . During the next game between the Canucks and Avalanche held in Denver , NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL executive vice - president Colin Campbell attended the game , which ended in a tie and saw no major incidents break out . However , on March 8 , 2004 , during another rematch between the Avalanche and Canucks , things went differently . In the first period , Moore fought Vancouver player Matt Cooke in a fairly even brawl , and served the 5 - minute penalty for fighting . The Avalanche would go on to build up a large lead in a fight - filled game . Late in the third period , Todd Bertuzzi was sent onto the ice . After failing to instigate Moore to fight , Bertuzzi skated after him for a long period before punching Moore in the head from behind and falling upon him along with several other players from both teams . Moore ' s head was driven into the ice during the fall , causing three fractured neck vertebrae , facial cuts and a concussion . Moore was knocked out , and lay motionless for ten minutes before being carried off on a stretcher . Bertuzzi was immediately suspended by the NHL for the remainder of the season , including the playoffs . The suspension also barred him from playing in any international tournaments or leagues during the 2004 – 05 NHL lockout . Commissioner Gary Bettman reinstated Bertuzzi for the 2005 – 06 season . On August 22 , 2004 , Moore was released from a Denver - area hospital . He wore a neck brace for one year and then started physical therapy for his neck injury and concussion . On February 17 , 2005 , Bertuzzi was named in a lawsuit filed by Moore , who has not played at all since the injury . Also named were Brad May ( who was quoted as saying that there would " definitely be a price on Moore ' s head " after the game ) , Brian Burke and the Canucks team . The lawsuit was thrown out in October 2005 , as the Colorado judge felt that British Columbia was a better venue for the suit . Moore plans to appeal the lawsuit . On August 8 , 2005 , the NHL announced that Bertuzzi would be allowed to play again at the start of the 2005 – 06 NHL season . In the league ' s decision , they cited many reasons for ending the suspension , such as : On August 15 , 2005 , Bertuzzi broke his 17 - month - long silence by once again admitting to his mistake and expressing a desire to move on with his life . " I ' m sure just like Steve Moore and his family , it ' s been difficult for both parties . I know I wish that day never happened . It ' s been some tough times , but I ' ve got good family and good friends and good peers in the league that have helped me get over the hump and move forward and come through it . On November 8 , 2005 , Moore ' s Toronto - based lawyer , Tim Danson , said that Moore was skating and doing regular workouts , but continued to suffer concussion - related symptoms . On February 16 , 2006 , Moore filed a civil suit in the province of Ontario against Bertuzzi , the Canucks , and the parent company of the Canucks , " Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment " seeking $ 15 million in pecuniary damages for loss of income , $ 1 million for aggravated damages , and $ 2 million for punitive damages . Moore ' s parents , who were watching their son on television when the attack happened , are also suing , seeking $ 1 . 5 million for " for negligent infliction of nervous shock and mental distress . " ( all figures in Canadian dollars ) . Moore ' s lawyer filed the suit one day before its two - year limitation expired , denying there was any connection between the timing and the 2006 Winter Olympics NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attempted to get Bertuzzi and Moore to agree on an out - of - court settlement in the $ 19 . 5 million lawsuit filed by Moore . Bertuzzi offered $ 350 , 000 to settle the case , an amount which was called " an insult " by Moore ' s lawyer . On March 28 , 2008 , Bertuzzi filed a lawsuit against Crawford , alleging that he was contractually obliged to obey Crawford and that therefore Crawford shares responsibility for the injury to Moore . In response , Crawford later stated that Bertuzzi acted in " direct disobedience " to orders from the bench to get off the ice before attacking Moore .