Official: Vancouver Canucks W00T

[Aquaman]

Suit launched over Canucks sale

Canadian Press
1/20/2005

VANCOUVER (CP) - Two businessmen who thought they were going to buy the Vancouver Canucks have filed a lawsuit against Orca Bay and a former partner who became co-owner of the NHL club.

Tom Gagliardi and Ryan Beedie filed a statement of claim in B.C. Supreme Court on Wednesday, alleging Canucks owner John McCaw and Francesco Aquilini, who bought 50 per cent of the team in November, acted in bad faith and disregarded legal agreements when they brokered their deal.

Gaglardi and Beedie referred questions to their lawyer Ian Nathanson, who would only confirm a statement of claim had been filed.

"The matter is now before the court so that's all I can really say," Nathanson told the Vancouver Sun.

In the statement of claim, Gagliardi and Beedie said Aquilini was once their partner in negotiations to buy the Canucks, but Aquilini pulled out saying he was unable to finance his share of the offer.

They claimed Aquilini wanted to be kept informed about negotiations with Orca Bay because he was still interested in participating in the deal in the future.

"After Aquilini ceased to be a partner, he owed a duty of confidence to (the complainants) not to disclose or use any confidential information provided to him for his own benefit contrary to their interests," court documents said.

Gaglardi, president and CEO of a hotel chain, and Beedie, who heads an industrial building design and construction company, charged that Aquilini then went behind their backs to broker a deal with McCaw and that the sale was "unlawful and should be set aside."

They seek unspecified damages and want the court to reinstate a offer that McCaw had made to them Oct. 30 during negotiations.

Vancouver Canucks President and CEO Stanley McCammon issued the following statement.

"We understand that a suit has been filed against us and the Aquilini Investment Group relating to the acquisition of 50 per cent of Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment. All we can say at this point is what has been publicly stated already. At all times we fully complied with all our legal and ethical obligations, and we dealt with the other party in good faith. We simply failed to reach an agreement with them. We had the full right to begin negotiations with Mr. Aquilini, and we did so.

"We are confident that, at the end of the day, the facts will be heard and we will prevail. We will vigorously defend ourselves - and the reputation of our organization against these claims.

"As this is an issue before the courts, it is not our interest or intention to comment publicly following this statement."

Nathanson said it could be 18 months to two years before the case gets to court.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Cloutier joins Austrian champs

Associated Press
1/20/2005

KLAGENFURT, Austria (AP) - Vancouver Canucks goalie Dan Cloutier joined Austrian champions Klagenfurter AC on Thursday.

The 28-year-old from Mont-Laurier, Quebec, signed a contract through to the end of the season and will replace injured No. 1 keeper Andrew Verner.

Cloutier, who starred for the Canucks in the last three seasons but also played for Tampa Bay and the New York Rangers, has so far appeared in 330 National Hockey League games.

He is the second NHL keeper in the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League, alongside St. Louis Blues goaltender Reinhard Divis.

Cloutier will arrive in Klagenfurt on Friday and make his debut Tuesday against Red Bulls Salzburg.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[ibungholio]

Does anybody think that the 2005-06 season will happen? Realistically, the NHLPA and the owners have not made any progress in a two-three year long negotiations process.

I'm so sad that hockey is on ice (no pun intended). Burke was building one of the most reliable franchises in the league, and an undeniable incremental improvement over the years in the team's toughness, skills, maturity and patience for developing young stars... and it could all fall apart when hockey does start again.

BTW, Wow, 300 pages!!! I used to think 50 pgs was long.

 

[ibungholio]

The feature titled "A new way to play: ESPNHL" is a pretty cool interactive Flash program on how the ESPN proposes to fix the whole lockout by starting a new league

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/...atureStory?page=nhlcba

 

[Aquaman]

This could be the week.......... either the season is over or the season is on

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Tomorrow we find out

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[wobbuffet]

Originally posted by: IcemanJer
<blockquote>Quote
Originally posted by: Yield<BR>man, I am really bitter I don't get to watch these games... :disgust:

[/quote]

sucks to be you

 

[Aquaman]

Moore launches lawsuit, leaves NHL out

TSN.ca Staff
2/17/2005

According to the Denver Post, former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore has filed a lawsuit related to injuries he suffered after being attacked by Vancouver Canucks' forward Todd Bertuzzi in a game last March.

The lawsuit is not a surprise, but the list of defendants and the venue for filing are interesting. Although the game in question was in Vancouver, Moore filed the suit in Denver District Court, citing Colorado's "Long-Arm Statute," and claiming that the attack was prompted by events that occurred during a February 16 game in Denver.

According to the Post, the list of defendants includes Bertuzzi, Canucks forward Brad May, Canucks coach Marc Crawford, former Vancouver general manager Brian Burke, plus the Canucks and the partnership that owns the team.

The National Hockey League, however, was not included among the defendants.

Moore is being represented by Denver attorney Lee Foreman, who is part of the same firm that recently defended Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in in Colorado, and Boulder attorney John Purvis.

The suit apparently asked for damages, but didn't specify an actual dollar amount.

Moore suffered a broken neck, a concussion and facial injuries after being jumped from behind by Bertuzzi and crashing to the ice.

Currently a free agent, Moore has not yet been able to exercise, the lawsuit states.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Quotes could haunt Canucks in lawsuit

Canadian Press
2/18/2005

VANCOUVER (CP) - An on-ice collision between Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore and Canucks star Markus Naslund triggered ''an unlawful plan'' last year among Vancouver players Todd Bertuzzi, Brad May and others to assault and injure Moore later, a lawsuit filed by Moore alleges.

The stunning allegation is contained in a 12-page complaint filed by Moore in the District Court in Denver, home of the Avalanche, as part of a lawsuit that names as defendants, Bertuzzi, May, Canucks coach Marc Crawford, former GM Brian Burke and Orca Bay Ltd., owner of the Canucks.

In December, Bertuzzi entered a guilty plea in provincial court in Vancouver to assault causing bodily harm and was given a conditional sentence, a sentence that could carry no criminal record.

The league suspended Bertuzzi indefinitely for his sucker-punch attack in a March 8 game and fined the Canucks $250,000 US for not trying to calm things down ahead of that game.

Moore, now a free agent, suffered a broken neck, a concussion and facial injuries. His hockey career remains in doubt.

The lawsuit alleges that a hard check on Naslund by Moore in a Feb. 16, 2004 game in Denver set the stage for the alleged conspiracy that resulted in Bertuzzi assaulting Moore three weeks later in Vancouver.

''Following the (Feb. 16) game, but before leaving Denver, defendants Bertuzzi, May, Crawford and Burke entered into an unlawful plan and agreement to assault, batter and injure Moore at a future date, in retaliation for the injuries which Naslund had suffered during the game,'' says Moore's complaint.

In support of the allegation, which has not been proven in court, his lawsuit contains quotes that were attributed to Bertuzzi and May in the media.

''That kid's a piece of shit,'' the suit quotes Bertuzzi as saying. ''We play them twice more and hopefully they'll keep him in the lineup.''

The suit alleges May agreed with Bertuzzi and indicated an intention to join the conspiracy.

''There's definitely a bounty on his head,'' the suit quotes May as saying. ''Clean hit or not, that's our best player and you respond. It's going to be fun when we get him.''

Moore's suit suggests the plan to injure Moore was aided by Crawford and Burke.

It says ''Crawford and Burke openly urged the Canucks players including Bertuzzi and May to retaliate against Moore, to make physical contact with him and threaten the same. ...''

The suit goes on to suggest that other Canucks players were aware of the conspiracy and had joined it.

After the ''inception of the conspiracy,'' Moore alleges that other Canucks ''had joined the same and that Moore would be injured if the opportunity was presented. ...''

Even the league and its commissioner, Gary Bettman, were aware of the conspiracy, the suit suggests.

''The threats and ongoing open discussion of the unlawful plan and agreement among the Canucks employees and agents to injure Moore did not escape the attention of officials of the NHL,'' the suit says.

To back that up, the complaint notes that Bettman and league disciplinarian Colin Campbell made plans to attend the next scheduled game between the teams.

Campbell telephoned May prior to another matchup March 3 between the teams and warned him about his bounty threat and also spoke to Burke about the public threats that had been made, the court documents say.

Campbell called Crawford and other Canucks officials a second time prior to the March 8 game in which Moore was injured ''and cautioned them against carrying out the threats that May, Bertuzzi and other Canucks players had made against Moore.''<

Robert Holmes, a well-known Vancouver lawyer and co-chairman of the civil litigation section of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association, said he can only assume Colorado law on conspiracy is similar to Canada.

''If somebody sets out with other people to do something illegal, knowing that harm is likely to result, then that's all a conspiracy amounts to,'' said Holmes.

''Another approach is if people set out using lawful or unlawful means to injure somebody and they have a specific target in mind then that also is conspiracy.''

The Canucks have thus far offered no comment on the suit but Holmes suggested it would be foolhardy for them to ignore it because it will be heard before a Denver jury.

''If they never plan to go to the U.S. again, and take their chances that a B.C. court won't recognize a Colorado judgment, then don't show up, but those are hazardous guesses.''

There are also many instances of U.S. judgments being enforced by Canadian courts, he said.

The defendants could attend the trial in Denver and try to have that court ''decline jurisdiction and send it to B.C.''

Some observers may wonder why Moore brought the suit in Denver and not in Canada, since he and all the defendants except Burke are Canadian.

There is a better chance of a bigger financial award in the U.S.

''In the U.S. one is not constrained as much as plaintiffs who are injured in Canada are by caps on damages paid for pain and suffering,'' said Holmes.

One of Moore's lawyers in Denver, Lee Foreman, said Moore was legally bound to act soon.

''Though Moore's ultimate recovery remains uncertain, his claims were made now due to certain statute of limitations under Colorado law,'' Foreman said in a statement.

Burke suggested the suit came as no surprise.

''This thing was headed to litigation seconds after it began,'' he told a Vancouver radio station.

''I think there are big issues about when the injuries occurred. Certainly the notion that the coach and GM are dragged into it, these are all things that will come out if it goes to trial.''

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Markus Naslund blasts Moore lawsuit

Canadian Press
2/21/2005

Markus Naslund has weighed in on the Steve Moore lawsuit.

The Canucks captain told the Vancouver Sun that the lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi and others is a money grab by a player who simply isnt good enough to make a living in the NHL.

"He's suing everyone so he can make money," Naslund told the Vancouver Sun from Sweden. "I've got no respect for him at all.

"Even talking to his teammates, it seems evident he doesn't have a lot of support in hockey."

Moore has been unable to play since Bertuzzi sucker-punched him during a game in Vancouver on March 8. He sustained cracked vertebrae and a concussion, from which he continues to suffer.

"This is just a guy who's trying to hit a home run (financially)," Naslund said to the Sun. "Someone who wasn't good enough to play.

"I'm not saying what (Bertuzzi did) was right. But if it was me, I'd be doing everything I could to get back and play and show everyone the character I have . . . instead of trying to sue everyone."

Moore, now an unrestricted free agent, is suing Canucks Bertuzzi and Brad May, Vancouver coach Marc Crawford, former general manager Brian Burke and the hockey club for unspecified damages.

Moore claims the defendants conspired to injure him.

"This isn't about the hit," Naslund told the paper of his feelings toward Moore. "Hockey players take hits and give hits."

Bertuzzi pleaded guilty in December to a charge of assault causing bodily harm and received a conditional discharge. He remains suspended indefinitely by the NHL.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

And you know that when Naslund gets pissed off about something, that it's really something low.

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks owner Aquilini fighting lawsuit

Canadian Press
2/23/2005

VANCOUVER (CP) - The man who bought half the Vancouver Canucks and is being sued by two others who allege he pulled a sneaky deal says in court documents he was never their partner and any relationship they had ended before his purchase.

Francesco Aquilini, the Vancouver businessman accused by Tom Gaglardi and Ryan Beedie of surreptitiously buying 50 per cent of the Canucks last November, filed a statement of defence Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court.

Gaglardi and Beedie filed a statement of claim in the court last month, alleging Canucks owner John McCaw and Aquilini acted in bad faith and disregarded legal agreements when they completed their deal.

McCaw is also named as a defendant, along with Orca Bay Hockey Ltd. Partnership and other related entities.

In his statement, Aquilini acknowledges that he began talks with Orca Bay in 2001 ''with a view to the purchase of a minority interest in the Canucks.''

In 2003, he agreed to participate with Gaglardi and Beedie in an attempt to purchase 50 per cent of the Canucks on behalf of all three.

But he said that in March 2004 he told the other two that he was not interested in being involved with them in the purchase attempt.

After their decision to go their separate ways, Aquilini claims in his statement that he worked alone to purchase the 50 per cent share, while Gaglardi and Beedie did the same.

''In late October or early November 2004, the attempts of Gaglardi and Beedie to acquire an interest in the Canucks ended in failure,'' the statement says.

''Upon learning of that failure Aquilini entered into discussions for the acquisition of an interest in the Canucks, resulting in the transaction that was announced Nov. 17, 2004.''

In their statement of claim, Gaglardi and Beedie said Aquilini pulled out saying he was unable to finance his share of the offer.

They claimed Aquilini wanted to be kept informed about negotiations with Orca Bay because he was still interested in participating in the deal in the future.

Gaglardi, president and CEO of a hotel chain, and Beedie, who heads an industrial building design and construction company, charged that Aquilini then went behind their backs to make a deal with McCaw and that the sale was ''unlawful and should be set aside.''

They seek unspecified damages and want the court to reinstate a offer that McCaw had made to them Oct. 30 during negotiations.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks sale to Aquilini finalized

Canadian Press
3/10/2005

VANCOUVER (CP) - Francesco Aquilini's purchase of 50 per cent of the Vancouver Canucks has been completed.

Last week the NHL's board of governors approved the deal, which was first announced in November. But Stan McCammon, chief executive officer for Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, said some loose ends needed to be cleared up before it was finalized.

Aquilini, a local businessman who has been a Canucks season-ticket holder for 15 years, is buying half the team from Seattle businessman John McCaw.

''Today is a very exciting and proud day for my family,'' said Thursday in a release.

''I grew up cheering for the Canucks and I look forward to my responsibility to contribute and help grow this great franchise both on the ice and in the community. I am very proud to be a local owner.''

No purchase price was given but Forbes magazine has estimated the Canucks are worth $148 million US, 15th among the 30 NHL clubs.

The Canucks are currently involved in two lawsuits.

Aquilini is being sued by two men who allege he pulled a sneaky deal to cut them out of a partnership to purchase the team. Also named as a defendant is McCaw, along with Orca Bay Hockey Ltd. Partnership and other related entities.

Aquilini denies the allegations.

The Canucks owners, players Todd Bertuzzi and Brad May, plus coach Marc Crawford and former general manager Brian Burke are also named in a lawsuit filed by former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore.

Moore, now a free agent, suffered a broken neck, a concussion and facial injuries after being sucker punched by Bertuzzi in a game last March at GM Place. His hockey career remains in doubt.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Canucks lay off nine employees

Canadian Press
3/15/2005

VANCOUVER (CP) - The Vancouver Canucks have laid off nine employees, becoming the latest Canadian team to reduce its staff in the wake of the NHL season being cancelled because of the labour dispute.

The team has also seen several employees leave for new jobs.

"Our staff has been tremendously loyal and professional throughout this entire process and we hoped to avoid this action," Stan McCammon, president and chief executive officer with Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment, said Tuesday in a release. "Unfortunately the current environment has forced us to make some difficult decisions."

The Canucks didn't give specifics on who had been let go except to say the employees were from a number of different areas within the company.

The Canucks finished last season with 123 full-time employees. That number has now been reduced to 82 due to the layoffs, a voluntary severance in July and attrition.

On Monday John Rocha, a 13-year Canucks employee, was introduced as the new president of the Vancouver Whitecaps of soccer's A-League.

Other Canucks employees who have left for new jobs include Dave Cannon (business development), T.C. Carling (media relations) and Darren Granger (assistant equipment manager).

Earlier this month, the Calgary Flames gave 10 employees their layoff notices. That reduced the team's full-time staff to 95 down from 140 prior to the lockout.

The Montreal Canadiens have also laid off an unspecified number of employees. Before the layoffs, the team had lost 30 of its 140 full-time employees through attrition.

Both attrition and layoffs have resulted in the Ottawa Senators seeing their full-time staff drop from 138 at the end of last season to around 100 now.

When the NHL season was cancelled last month the Toronto Maple Leafs said they had no immediate plans for staff layoffs.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Naslund to skip World Championships

Canadian Press
3/19/2005

STOCKHOLM (CP) - Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund said he will not play for Sweden in the April 30-May 15 world hockey championship in Austria.

Naslund, the NHL's leading goalscorer the past three seasons, played for his hometown club MoDo this past season during the NHL lockout, scoring 18 points in 14 regular-season games. But he had a disappointing playoffs, with only one assist in six games as MoDo was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Farjestad.

The 31-year-old said his poor playoff performance made him turn down an invitation from Sweden coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson to play in the IIHF tournament.

"Right now, I don't think I belong in the worlds," Naslund told newspaper Expressen on Saturday.

Naslund's teammate Peter Forsberg, who sat out the last part of the regular season with a fractured wrist and then suffered a concussion in his return game in the playoffs, was also expected to sit out the tournament, but Gustafsson said he hopes the star forward will play.

"I'll contact him next week to see how he feels about the future," Gustafsson told news agency TT. "I'm not closing any doors until I talk to him myself."

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Bertuzzi to play Saturday in Hamilton

Canadian Press
4/1/2005

HAMILTON (CP) - Suspended NHL star Todd Bertuzzi will be among the skaters at Saturday's outdoor charity hockey game at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton.

Bertuzzi, who continues to await his reinstatement hearing with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, also played in Brad May's charity game at GM Place in Vancouver on Dec. 13.

As many as 30,000 people are expected for the Our Game To Give event, which will also feature netminders Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and Curtis Joseph of the Detroit Red Wings.

The game can be seen live on TSN on Saturday at 7pm et/4pm pt.

Also on the ice will be defencemen Wade Redden of the Ottawa Senators, Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche, Steve Staios of the Edmonton Oilers and Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as forwards Mike Peca of the New York Islanders, Ryan Smyth of the Oilers, Kris Draper of the Red Wings and Leafs Darcy Tucker, Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts.

Former Leaf hero Doug Gilmour is a central figure in the event and will lace them up, as well as Indianapolis Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt.

Proceeds from the game will got to the Tsunami Relief Fund of the Canadian Red Cross, and Camp Trillium, the Ontario camp for children and their families living with cancer.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Fans brave elements for charity hockey

Canadian Press
4/1/2005

HAMILTON (CP) - Locked-out NHL players and a handful of former stars put on a light-checking but spirited show in an outdoor charity hockey game in front of 20,000 well-wrapped spectators at rain-soaked Ivor Wynne Stadium on Saturday night.

The disappointment over the lost NHL season was put aside for the event, which was billed as Our Game To Give. Proceeds went to the Tsunami Relief Fund of the Canadian Red Cross and Camp Trillium for children with cancer.

"People understand that when it comes to things like this it isn't really about all the bad stuff that's gone on," said Joe Nieuwendyk. "It's about everybody coming out and having a good time and raising money for good causes."

The inclement weather kept most dogs in the Steel City indoors.

"I'm giving them the first star for showing up," Terry Crisp, who served as one of the coaches, said of the hardy crowd.

Team Gilmour rallied in the third period to defeat Team Staios 11-8, and also had a 60-45 shots advantage.

For Team Gilmour, Steve Thomas scored three goals and Nieuwendyk, Adam Mair, Gary Roberts, Mike Peca, Scott Walker, Wade Redden, Ken Hadall and Todd Harvey had one each.

"With such a void in hockey, it's nice to go out there and compete at some level," said Thomas. "I really thought the people of Hamilton really enjoyed the game regardless of the elements.

"They hung in there right to the end. And as much fun as they had watching it, I had equally as much fun playing. It was tough skating east, into the wind. We had to do that twice on offence. To skate into that wind, you really had to put your head down and really bore into it. On the other side of the coin, going the other way was a lot easier. It felt like you were going downhill."

For Team Staios, Mike Comrie and Kris Draper scored two goals each and Steve Rice, Mike Gartner, Rob Blake, Ryan Smyth added one each.

"It was a blast," said Draper. "It wasn't the best weather for the fans but for the players it was great.

"Nobody cared if it was raining or snowing. It was just great to get back on the ice."

There was no checking but it was a competitive outing - as evidenced by the determined play in the late going of suspended NHL player Todd Bertuzzi, who picked up his pace in an unsuccessfully bid to win it for his team. He declined interviews afterwards.

The fans didn't care who won.

"I've been dying for a hockey game," Russell Copeland of Hamilton said in explaining his presence as he tried to fix an umbrella torn apart by stiff winds.

Losing goalie Curtis Joseph laughed about the weather afterwards.

"You looked up and saw rain coming down sideways, and lots of wind," said Joseph. "Guys said they wouldn't backcheck against the wind, and I wouldn't either."

He wasn't surprised by the crowd's avid involvement in the event.

"I think people are starved for NHL hockey and fans here are used to the elements watching the Ticats so they turned out in great numbers," said Joseph.

There were breakaways galore.

"The long outlet pass looked like it was in fashion," Joseph said with a grin.

Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, rain pelting his white hair, received a standing ovation when introduced before dropping the puck for the ceremonial faceoff.

Rain turned to snow during the second intermission. The wind-whipped snow then got heavier.

With six minutes left, Brodeur preserved his team's one-goal lead by stopping Matthew Barnaby on a breakaway. Nieuwendyk and Harvey then padded Team Gilmour's lead.

Peca loved the first outdoor game he's played with NHL peers since turning pro.

"I think it was great," said Peca. "I'd really like to see more outdoor games if we could do it in cities that could accommodate them.

"A lot of people were saying (Friday) would have been a better day for the game (because it was milder) but I think with the rain and a little bit of snow it made it even more memorable. I don't think you could find a guy all night without a smile on his face."

Spectator Bob Guyatt of Hamilton, wearing a Colorado Avalanche sweater, had no problem braving the elements.

"Just because it's a party," Guyatt said when asked why he attended. "I bought 12 tickets back when they first went on sale and I was going to be here come hell or high water.

"It's an event. Where else can you for $35 bucks for four hours and have a good time like this? Besides, football fans are out this kind of weather all the time."

In terms of attendance, atmosphere and relevance, the event was not close to the magnitude of the Heritage Classic game in Edmonton in November 2003, where three times as many people were on hand in -20 C weather.

Smyth said the ice was better at Ivor Wynne than at Commonwealth because it was so cold there that the ice became brittle and broke in places. Teammate Eric Brewer also has now played in two outdoor games.

"They did a great job on the ice with the conditions," said Brewer. "You couldn't ask for more difficult conditions to work with but things went very well."

Al Gill of Alberta-based Canadian Arena Products supervised installation of ice for both events. Despite steady rain, which caused a pebbling effect on the surface between Zamboni scrapes, the ice stood up well Saturday.

Other current NHL players who participated were Steve Staios, Bryan McCabe, Darcy Tucker, Jay McKee, Glen Murray, Brad May, Shayne Corson, Mark Bell, Jason York and Steve Montador.

Former NHLers taking part included Rice, Probert, Gartner, Doug Gilmour, Marty McSorley, Adam Graves, Nick Kypreos, Chris Kontos, Nelson Emerson, Ric Nattress and Joe Cirella.

"I had two gears - slow and stop," said Kypreos.

A strip of green carpet was placed over the ice for Mike Vanderjagt to try field goals during the second intermission. The Indianapolis Colts kicker who is from neighbouring Oakville, Ont., fell on his first attempt to put a ball through the uprights behind the end boards. He declined a second attempt.

Vanderjagt's biggest regret, however, was not scoring on a breakaway during the game.

"I thought to myself, `I'm going down the ice against Martin Brodeur,' " he said. "I psyched myself out.

"But It was a great experience all around. It was as good as it gets. If you're a basketball player, to have a dream come true you'd be playing with Shaq and Kobe and that kind of deal. For a kid growing up in Canada, it's the same kind of thing, to be on the ice with Gilmour, Thomas, Nieuwendyk and Roberts."

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[silverpig]

Missing the hockey.

And what's this about them not allowing an olympic break next year? How's that gonna rekindle the hockey flame? They should be trying to use the olympics to their advantage to promote the game. Let everyone ice the best teams they can, the olympics are free advertising for the game as far as the NHL is concerned.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: silverpig


Missing the hockey.

And what's this about them not allowing an olympic break next year? How's that gonna rekindle the hockey flame? They should be trying to use the olympics to their advantage to promote the game. Let everyone ice the best teams they can, the olympics are free advertising for the game as far as the NHL is concerned.

Nothing makes me feel more empty than no NHL playoff hockey this year.

I'm missing hockey. :*(

i have a tournament at the end of the month though. and i'm going to snipe a few.

Go Oilers!! Get well soon NHL!! :|

 

[Aquaman]

Woot

Jovo & Mo are in but Big Bert is out

Free Bert

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Bertuzzi to meet with NHL next Tuesday

TSN.ca Staff
4/18/2005

Suspended Vancouver Canucks' forward Todd Bertuzzi will finally get a chance to appeal for his re-instatement. TSN has confirmed that Bertuzzi will meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman next Tuesday to discuss his application for returning to the league.

Bertuzzi's agent Pat Morris and an NHL spokesman would not confirm the report, but did suggest that Bertuzzi will soon have his long-awaited hearing.

"There are all kinds of things up in the air with respect to this and I don't want to confirm a date because they (NHL) are trying to work it out," Morris told the Vancouver Province.

"We knew we were going to get a date but it was not approximate enough to help Todd or Team Canada at the world championship. So it will move forward when it moves forward."

NHL spokesman Frank Brown confirmed to the Province that there would be a meeting, but would not outline details such as the date and location.

"We won't be confirming anything with respect to Bertuzzi other than the fact that a meeting on Todd's application for reinstatement has been scheduled," Brown told the Province.

Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely following his on-ice mugging of Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore on March 8, 2004. The suspension caused Bertuzzi to miss the playoffs, and made him ineligible to play in Europe this season during the NHL lockout.

Bertuzzi was under consideration for a spot on Canada's World Championship team, but eventually pulled out when it became apparent that he would not have the suspension lifted before training camp. The International Ice Hockey Federation had stated that it would honour the NHL suspension.

"Todd needed time to get ready," Team Canada GM Steve Tambellini said. "The timeline of him getting reinstated did not meet with the timeline of us getting our team ready. I know he would have liked to have been part of this but it's just not going to work."

The initial news of getting a hearing was a mild surprise, since the matter's urgency was lifted after Bertuzzi opted out of the world championship tournament. The NHL already has a very busy schedule planned for this week, with a CBA meeting with the NHL Players' Association Tuesday, and a Board of Governors meeting on the docket for Wednesday.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Lounatik]

Sweet, got the 6000th post!


Peace


Lounatik

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: Lounatik
Sweet, got the 6000th post!


Peace


Lounatik

Technically you got 6001 since the original poster has post 1 but that shows up as 0

I own 6000

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Moore to appear at Bertuzzi hearing

TSN.ca Staff
4/25/2005

Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore will both attend Tuesday's reinstatement hearing for Bertuzzi at NHL headquarters in New York.

It is the first time they will be in close proximity since Bertuzzi's attack on Moore during a Vancouver-Colorado NHL game on March 8, 2004.

Moore's lawyer Tim Danson of Toronto told TSN on Monday that Moore will personally attend the hearing, which is scheduled for 10 am et with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"I don't expect that they (Bertuzzi and Moore) will be in the same room together, at least I don't think so," Danson told TSN, "Steve will be there to talk to Gary Bettman. Steve has been asked to come to the hearing and he will do that. We want to make sure Gary Bettman gets a full and accurate understanding of Steve's situation and the impact this act of violence has had on his life."

Danson said he and Moore weren't invited there for the expressed purpose of opposing Bertuzzi's reinstatement, but "if Gary Bettman asks for Steve Moore's opinion on reinstatement, Steve will give it to him."

The NHL has not even officially acknowledged that Bertuzzi's reinstatement hearing with Bettman is being held on Tuesday at NHL headquarters in New York City, so that gives you some idea as to the shroud of secrecy and the high degree of sensitivity on this particular issue.

In its most basic form, this hearing is all about Bettman being asked to decide whether Bertuzzi has paid enough of a penalty for his attack on Steve Moore. The criminal charges are now behind Bertuzzi, a civil lawsuit filed in Denver still looms large on the horizon, but at issue in this hearing is whether Bertuzzi should now be eligible to play in the NHL...when, or if, the locked out NHL begins playing again.

Moore has medical reports saying, at this point in time, he's not physically capable of playing because of the injuries suffered in the attack.

Bertuzzi was suspended for 13 regular season games. He lost more than $500,000 in pay. He was suspended for the duration of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which for Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks amounted to seven games and a first-round loss to the Calgary Flames. Bertuzzi was not eligible to play in the world cup of hockey last fall. The uncertainty of his status did not allow him to play in Europe during the lockout or for Canada at the coming world championship. Now he wants to get on with his hockey life and is seeking reinstatement.

All of that is undoubtedly to be weighed against the hardships and injuries suffered by Moore and his prognosis for the future, which Danson said is not good.

It is up to Bettman to decide if the punishment, thus far, fits the crime.

While the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning, it's highly unlikely a decision will be made the same day. Bettman may choose to take days, perhaps even a week or more, to render a decision.

Bertuzzi, of course, will attend Tuesday's hearing. He will be represented by his agent Pat Morris, who will make a case for reinstatement. Vancouver Canuck general manager Dave Nonis will also be in attendance.

Danson will be there with Moore and Denver lawyer Lee Foreman, who is heading up Moore's civil law suit in Colorado.

The NHL Players' Association also has standing in the hearing and it's expected an NHLPA representative will also be in attendance.

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Aquaman]

Shroud of secrecy over Bertuzzi hearing

TSN.ca Staff
4/25/2005

The National Hockey League has not even officially acknowledged that Todd Bertuzzi's reinstatement hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman is being held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at NHL headquarters in New York City, so that gives you some idea as to the shroud of secrecy and the high degree of sensitivity on this particular issue.

In its most basic form, this hearing is all about Bettman being asked to decide whether Bertuzzi has paid enough of a penalty for his attack on Steve Moore. The criminal charges are now behind Bertuzzi, a civil lawsuit filed in Denver still looms large on the horizon, but at issue in this hearing is whether Bertuzzi should now be eligible to play in the NHL...when, or if, the locked out NHL begins playing again.

Moore has medical reports saying, at this point in time, he's not physically capable of playing because of the injuries suffered in the attack.

Bertuzzi was suspended for 13 regular season games. He lost more than $500,000 in pay. He was suspended for the duration of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which for Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks amounted to seven games and a first-round loss to the Calgary Flames. Bertuzzi was not eligible to play in the world cup of hockey last fall. The uncertainty of his status did not allow him to play in Europe during the lockout or for Canada at the coming world championship. Now he wants to get on with his hockey life and is seeking reinstatement.

All of that is undoubtedly to be weighed against the hardships and injuries suffered by Moore and his prognosis for the future. It is up to Bettman to decide if the punishment, thus far, fits the crime.

While the hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning, it's highly unlikely a decision will be made the same day. Bettman may choose to take days, perhaps even a week or more, to render a decision.

Bertuzzi, of course, will attend Tuesday's hearing and will be represented by his agent Pat Morris, who will make a case for reinstatement. Vancouver Canuck general manager Dave Nonis will also be in attendance.

Moore's lawyer Tim Danson has confirmed Moore will personally attend the hearing and discuss his situation with Bettman, although Danson said he isn't sure Moore and Bertuzzi will be together in the same room at any point in the hearing. Danson will also be accompanied by Denver lawyer Lee Foreman, who is heading up Moore's civil law suit in Colorado.

Danson said he and Moore will be there to "make sure Gary Bettman gets a full and accurate understanding of Steve's situation and the impact this act of violence has had on his life...if Gary Bettman asks for Steve Moore's opinion on reinstatement, Steve will give it to him."

The NHL Players' Association also has standing in the hearing and it's expected an NHLPA rep will also be in attendance.

Cheers,
Aquaman