Originally Posted by CBC Olympics

CBC News learned Wednesday that Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, currently playing for Canada at the Torino Olympics, was slapped with a civil lawsuit stemming from the Steve Moore incident.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice by lawyer Tim Danson, and seeks millions of dollars in lost wages and damages for Moore and his parents.

It also named Orca Bay Ltd. partnership, Orca Bay Hockey Inc., and the Canucks.

Bertuzzi, 31, was reinstated by the NHL last Aug. 8, precisely 17 months after being suspended for sucker-punching Moore in a 9-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at General Motors Place on March 8, 2004.

Moore, now 27, was hospitalized with three broken vertebrae in his neck and a concussion.

The violent incident prompted debate across North America about the role of rough justice in hockey.

Moore is seeking $15 million in pecuniary damages for loss of income, $1 million for aggravated damages and $2 million in punitive damages.

His parents, Jack and Anna, who were watching on television when Bertuzzi blindsided Moore, are suing for $1.5 million "for negligent infliction of nervous shock and mental distress."

The lawsuit claimed that "Anna was screaming and crying hysterically. Jack was utterly frozen in shock..."

Bertuzzi's suspension lasted the final 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the Stanley Cup playoffs, which, for the Canucks, translated into seven more games.

Bertuzzi remained under suspension throughout the 310-day lockout and prohibited from playing in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey , two world championships and any European pro league.

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

Bertuzzi not only wound up suspended by the NHL, but charged by Vancouver police.

He was sentenced to a year's probation and 80 hours of community service upon pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm.

Part of the probation was that Bertuzzi not engage "in any other sporting activity involving Mr. Moore as a participant."

Moore later filed a civil lawsuit in Denver, against Bertuzzi, Canucks head coach Marc Crawford, general manager Brian Burke, forward Brad May and Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, but Judge Shelley Gilman ruled the case because it had no standing in Colorado.

Bertuzzi formally requested to be reinstated last April 27 during a seven-hour hearing with NHL officials.

Moore reportedly still suffers from post-concussion syndrome and has resumed exercising, but his NHL career remains in doubt.