The Legend of Hulktuzzi
We all know what Todd Bertuzzi did many years ago to Steve Moore. Yes it was wrong, and it was one of the most horrific events to ever happen in the game of hockey. Todd Bertuzzi has paid dearly for what he did, and will live with that guilt for the rest of his life.
His one lapse in judgement should not be held against him, he should not be booed like he is almost 8 years later. There are times where he gets booed in arena's by fans that have no ties to Either the Canucks, Avalanche, or Burtuzzi and I have to wonder to myself, do some of them even know why they are booing? Bertuzzi is not the monster he was or sometimes still is made out to be. So where did the Hulktuzzi alter-ego come from?
Come find out after the Jump...
Not unlike Bruce Banner, Bertuzzi has had to suppress his anger for fear that something bad may happen if he doesn't keep it in check. To all the comic book nerds out there the Steve Moore hit was his Gamma exposure, a mistake that would forever change his life.
Since Bertuzzi's return to hockey he has been a different player. He hasn't used his size to intimidate, or be a physical presence, and as a result he just hasn't been the dynamic player he once was. Now most of that can be chalked up to age, but some is because he just couldn't let the big green monster emerge for fear that the reaction would be too severe.
That is until that one fateful night back on March 28th, 2011 while the Detroit Red Wings were facing off against their rival the Chicago Blackhawks. 5:17 into the first period, Todd Bertuzzi delivered a bone crushing hit to Chicago forward Ryan Johnson. The hit was clean, there was some contact with his elbow and Bertuzzi was ejected from the game. Johnson would return later that period after being cleared and Bertuzzi awaited his fate.
The hockey world was turned upside down with many calling for Bertuzzi's head on a platter claiming he has a history, when in reality Bertuzzi hadn't had an incident since "the incident".
It was like a switch went off upon learning that he would not be suspended for his hit on Johnson. Bertuzzi had finally lost the fear of being disciplined for normal physical play. The monster had a green light and came out to play on April 2nd, in a 4-3 win over Nashville, earning an assist and two five minute majors for pummeling Predators defenseman Shane O'Brien.
And so the legend of Hulktuzzi was born, the only question now is. Where or when will he emerge this season?
Thanks for the post. I love Bertuzzi and I hate that he's still paying for a mistake and made out to be a monster. I've met him and he really is an incredibly nice guy. I root for him extra just because I want to see him succeed in spite of the haters. I even named my fantasy team Hulktuzzies in his honor. Awesome post, and thanks for bringing the Hulktuzzi into my life.
That's what I have always said, if you have the stomach to watch the video you can see that his injury could very well have been caused by everyone jumping on top of them. Boxers get knocked out all the time and fall flat on their face, if everyone dog piled on top of them after I'm sure they would have a lot more problems @Reddy
I always heard that Steve Moore could have came back to hockey some time ago but found it more financially advantageous to pursue the lawsuit against Bertuzzi. I don't know how true that is but that was a rumor. I heard that he had been skating and practicing for a bit but couldn't make the line-up with the Aves. I think Bertuzzi did a bad thing (of course), but I think that the effect of it has passed. Wasn't Moore's injury fairly similar to Paciorettys? Don't mean to open up "the incident" again or to keep beating a dead horse but I'm still curious!
I am happy Bertuzzi is playing for the Red Wings and I enjoy watching him. He does bring something to the Wings that I think we miss. He seems to open up a lot of room for people at times.
I don't like to discuss "the Incident" either, so this post will be the only time I reference it, but I have heard the same thing about Moore. There are some shady areas to how Moore and his lawyer have handled this situation, they have even asked for money for Moore's parents. It's sad that it happened for all involved but there are too many variable to point all fingers at Bert, who is actually a great person, father, husband and teammate @teddywings
Haha. Love the origins story. My stupid sharks fan boyfriend hates Tuzzi. Absolutely hates him and always shouts if he's ended another guys career lately at him when he has the puck. And he refuses to listen to logic about the situation and Bert's play since the incident. But he's stubborn and a stupid sharks fan, so he can't be reasoned with. I think Hulktuzzi will emerge when we need him most (and can afford the penalty). I bet that he ends up with a Gordie Howe hat trick this season... Maybe against the Wild lol
