Crawford played role in Bertuzzi shameful act...

[Theo 1]

Surprise...Not that it makes Bert any less of a d-bag for doing it.

Court documents allege Marc Crawford played role in hit by Bertuzzi

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 | 11:52 PM ET

CBC Sports

VIDEO: Tom Harrington reports for CBC-TV (Runs 2:10)

Court documents obtained by CBC News contend that Todd Bertuzzi's infamous sucker-punch of Steve Moore came after former Vancouver Canucks head coach Marc Crawford pointed at a board and said "he must pay the price."

Bertuzzi was an all-star forward for the Canucks when he hit Moore from behind 8:41 into the third period of a 9-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on March 8, 2004.

Moore suffered three broken vertebrae in his neck and a concussion, has not played since, and is suing Bertuzzi for upward of $38 million.

Bertuzzi was asked 1,300 questions under oath, and, according to a proposed amended statement of claim filed on Moore's behalf in an Ontario court, Bertuzzi stated at his discovery that Crawford pointed to Moore's name and sweater number on a board in the Canucks dressing room and told his players, "He [Moore] must pay the price."

Crawford's alleged comment was also confirmed in sworn testimony from Canucks general manager Dave Nonis, the statement said.

The incident happened after Canucks captain Markus Naslund was knocked unconscious with an open-ice hit by Moore to the head when the teams met earlier at Denver's Pepsi Center on Feb. 16.

Moore was neither penalized nor suspended for the hit.

Crawford, now coaching the Los Angeles Kings, is not a defendant in the Ontario lawsuit filed by Moore.

The NHL suspended Bertuzzi indefinitely for attacking Moore on March 8, and didn't reinstate him until Aug. 8, 2005 — exactly 17 months later.

Bertuzzi remained under suspension throughout the 310-day NHL lockout and was prohibited from competing in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, two world championships and in European pro leagues.

He also forfeited $501,926.39 US in salary and hundreds of thousands more in endorsements.

Criminal charges filed against Bertuzzi in Vancouver resulted in a guilty plea and a sentence of one year's probation plus 80 hours of community service.

Moore later filed a lawsuit in Denver against Bertuzzi and other notables, including Canucks ownership, but it was dismissed.

With Bertuzzi in Turin, Italy, playing for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics, Moore filed a second lawsuit on Feb. 15, 2006.

At the time, he was seeking $18 million for lost income, aggravated and punitive damages, but is now demanding $38 million in an amended claim.

With files from the Associated Press

I understand it this closed before the inevitable happens.

[DarkStar50 679]

Sports> locker rooms> coaches> players> bounties. It has been going on forever. Just another little secret that is kept quiet. On ESPN Radio last week, Mike Golic, former Philadelphia Eagle, was talking about bounties in the locker room. He would admit to two events in his career where it happened in the locker room with the coach. So, as for Crawford, I can believe it.

[chk hrd 164]

I don't doubt that Crawford told the team they needed to get even for the Naslund hit. Did he say it specifically to Bertuzzi, no I don't think so. Did Bertuzzi volunteer to do it, possibly - since he tried to start a fight earlier in the game and Moore backed out. Did Bertuzzi intend to injure Moore the way he did, no - he did not plan on ending his career.

The big question is should Crawford be held accountable?

[thejackal 46]

im not sure whether crawford should be punished, but look at it this way, a fringe player just took out your captain. obviously there are cleaner ways to go about making him "pay the price," but i can understand the reaction.

[chippa13 1844]

And Crawford having a say is a surprise to anyone?????

[Fire0nIce228 1]

If someone told you to go jump off a bridge, would you do it?

[chippa13 1844]

If someone told you to go jump off a bridge, would you do it?

Crawford didn't tell Bertuzzi to go gorilla on the guy but dollars to donuts he told his boys that Moore wasn't finishing that game.

[Chadd 916]

Sports> locker rooms> coaches> players> bounties. It has been going on forever. Just another little secret that is kept quiet. On ESPN Radio last week, Mike Golic, former Philadelphia Eagle, was talking about bounties in the locker room. He would admit to two events in his career where it happened in the locker room with the coach. So, as for Crawford, I can believe it.

And in the game where Bertuzzi lost his marbles, Cooke challenged Moore to a fight and things should have been finished at that point.

[Theo 1]

And Crawford having a say is a surprise to anyone?????

I guess the first word of the post "Surprise" did not register with you.

As DS says, this happens all the time, it even happens in leagues with younger people/ teens.

[booyaagrandma 4]

Sports> locker rooms> coaches> players> bounties. It has been going on forever. Just another little secret that is kept quiet. On ESPN Radio last week, Mike Golic, former Philadelphia Eagle, was talking about bounties in the locker room. He would admit to two events in his career where it happened in the locker room with the coach. So, as for Crawford, I can believe it.

And in the game where Bertuzzi lost his marbles, Cooke challenged Moore to a fight and things should have been finished at that point.

I totally agree with Chadd here,Bertuzzi took it too far and it should be pretty interesting to see how this plays out or if it makes any difference to Moores case at all.

Just as a side note its always disgusted me seeing the footage after the attack of Crawford on the bench smiling away like a smug git, no class Crawford.

[chippa13 1844]

And Crawford having a say is a surprise to anyone?????

I guess the first word of the post "Surprise" did not register with you.

As DS says, this happens all the time, it even happens in leagues with younger people/ teens.

My point was that it should be anything but a surprise that Crawford told his boys to issue a little payback. Anyone who didn't think the coach was involved has never had a coach in a contact sport.

[mrusse01 0]

The big question is should Crawford be held accountable?

No.

Did Crawford specifically tell anyone to injure Moore? No. Did making the statement 'he has to pay' add anything to the situtation that every player on the team already didn't know? No.

Moore took a cheap shot at Naslund, the Canucks were going to come after him, Crawford didn't need to say anything, and anything he did say was immaterial. It is foolish to suggest things would have turned out differently if Crawford just kept his mouth shut.

This report just proves that there was a premediated feeling among the team that they were going to try and get 'payback' of some kind out of Steve Moore, but that would be quite obvious to anyone who has ever played contact sports anyways.

[kosydar 0]

Wasn't this already public information, or at the very leased, widely assumed?

[mack 44]

I'm not surprised nor do I think Crawford deserves anything bad for it. Unless he explicitly said something like "someone who's twice as big as he is should jump on his back and break his neck" then there's nothing odd about this at all.

Granted Cooke did fight Moore and it should have ended there, but to relate this to baseball you know when you're going to get beaned, but is the manager held accountable if the pitcher snaps and drills a guy in the head? No.

[chippa13 1844]

I'm not surprised nor do I think Crawford deserves anything bad for it. Unless he explicitly said something like "someone who's twice as big as he is should jump on his back and break his neck" then there's nothing odd about this at all.

Granted Cooke did fight Moore and it should have ended there, but to relate this to baseball you know when you're going to get beaned, but is the manager held accountable if the pitcher snaps and drills a guy in the head? No.

Actually, once the teams are warned in baseball, if a pitcher throws at a guy then both the pitcher and the manager are ejected from the ballgame. So, to answer your question, yes, the manager is held accountable.

Also, to add, if people are trying to hold the Flyers organization and coaching staff responsible for all of their indiscretions this season then why can't Crawford be held accountable for what he did.

[kosydar 0]

In some sick way I think you can differentiate between retaliation and running around hurting people for no real reason.

[chippa13 1844]

In some sick way I think you can differentiate between retaliation and running around hurting people for no real reason.

You can, purposefully injuring someone via retaliation is worse because it is premeditated and absolutely intentional.

[DarkStar50 679]

Bertuzzi was asked 1,300 questions under oath, and, according to a proposed amended statement of claim filed on Moore's behalf in an Ontario court, Bertuzzi stated at his discovery that Crawford pointed to Moore's name and sweater number on a board in the Canucks dressing room and told his players, "He [Moore] must pay the price."

Crawford's alleged comment was also confirmed in sworn testimony from Canucks general manager Dave Nonis, the statement said.

In a Court of Law, sworn testimony, under oath takes this to the next level. It's time for Crawford to get lawyered up.

[Theo 1]

Wasn't this already public information, or at the very leased, widely assumed?

As explained to Chippa, yes- everyone knew what was expressed and probably encouraged behind closed doors. But now it is proven and out in the open

[sjsharks11 0]

The big question is should Crawford be held accountable?

He shouldn't be held accountable, no matter what he said to Bertuzzi nothing can justify doing something like that. If Crawford had told Bertuzzi to jump off a bridge I don't think he would have done it.

Well maybe he would have, but you get my point

[mack 44]

I'm not surprised nor do I think Crawford deserves anything bad for it. Unless he explicitly said something like "someone who's twice as big as he is should jump on his back and break his neck" then there's nothing odd about this at all.

Granted Cooke did fight Moore and it should have ended there, but to relate this to baseball you know when you're going to get beaned, but is the manager held accountable if the pitcher snaps and drills a guy in the head? No.

Actually, once the teams are warned in baseball, if a pitcher throws at a guy then both the pitcher and the manager are ejected from the ballgame. So, to answer your question, yes, the manager is held accountable.

Also, to add, if people are trying to hold the Flyers organization and coaching staff responsible for all of their indiscretions this season then why can't Crawford be held accountable for what he did.

Thanks tips, but the point remains that the manager's not going to get the big suspension if his pitcher injures a player. You're comparing an ejection to a suspension just for argument's sake and that's sad.

[JPB_69 0]

Here's my take...

I think putting any blame towards Crawford is off target. When it comes down to it, for me, all Crawford said was ra-ra locker room talk. He's a coach and coaches do that. We've all had coaches that have said stuff like this, or something like it. Who's had this coach: "Let's go out and kill these guys". Damn, I left my glock at home, guess I'll just break this guys neck instead... I lost all respect for Berts when he did that. It was a pussy move. Hockey is an emotional game, we all play and understand the meaning of what I just said. If you're going after someone you get 'em clean. If the guy won't fight, fine, call him a puss. You'll get him, just wait for your shot. You don't cheap shot him like that. Pussy move. I'll stop rambling now.

[TheBert 0]

Moore wasn't the only one Crawford called out. He basically told the Canucks that every Avalanche player must "pay the price". The prosecution is just taking this and running with it.

[Chadd 916]

The prosecution is just taking this and running with it.

That would be exceptionally stupid of them considering the fact that Crawford was left out of the case.

Crawford, now coaching the Los Angeles Kings, is not a defendant in the Ontario lawsuit filed by Moore.

This is the media running with something that no athlete at any level is surprised to hear.

[TheBert 0]

Sportsnet and TSN aren't portraying it with Crawford as the main culprit. But they're saying this might establish that Bertuzzi acted in a pre-meditated manner.