VANCOUVER (CP) - General manager Brian Burke dropped the gloves in support of Todd Bertuzzi on Thursday, criticizing the media for vilifying the Vancouver Canucks forward who has been suspended for the rest of the NHL season and the playoffs for attacking Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche.
Burke said he wouldn't talk about the length of the suspension because he will be pleading for the league to reinstate Bertuzzi at a later date. The Canucks are also deciding if they will appeal the NHL's ruling.
In classic Burke style, he ripped into the media for casting Bertuzzi as a villain. His face red, and struggling to control his temper, Burke also suggested the media had not been careful enough in analysing the events that led to Moore's injury.
``I want to talk about Todd Bertuzzi and the way he has been vilified in the media through this process,'' Burke said with a snarl.
``What he is a great hockey player and an excellent human being. Because he is not warm and fuzzy with you, you've taken this opportunity to kick the crap out of him and I think it's been just shameful.
``I don't think people have focused on everything he's done as a player, the excitement and success he's brought to the community and how involved he is in this community. I'm proud to have him on my team and I'm proud to call him my friend.''
Burke said Bertuzzi, who was not expected to talk to the media Thursday, he was ``devastated.''
``You're talking about a quality hockey player who made a mistake,'' Burke told a news conference.
Burke also bristled over the $250,000 US fine the league levelled on the Canucks.
Colin Campbell, the NHL's executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, partially blamed the incident on the Canucks, saying the team didn't do enough to take ``the temperature down.''
Burke said any suggestion coach Marc Crawford acted inappropriately `is horribly unjust.''
``As far as I can tell, the investigation into this matter lasted less than 10 minutes and all took place yesterday,'' said Burke.
``I am absolutely shocked at the size of the fine and the notion that Marc did anything other than what a coach is supposed to do in this circumstance.''
In some pure theatre, Burke said if it appeases the public he will gladly take the blame for what happened on the ice.
``If I can take even one per cent of the blame off Todd's shoulders, I'll take it all, all of it,'' he said.
Moore remains in a Vancouver hospital, recovering from a concussion, facial cuts and chip fractures to two vertebrae.
Burke suggested the Avs rookie could be skating again soon.
``He could be skating in four weeks,'' said Burke. ``I hope he is skating in four weeks.''