Five weeks ago, former Avalanche winger Steve Moore said he hoped to come to Denver soon to work with the team’s medical staff and continue attempts to recover from injuries he suffered when attacked by Vancouver Canucks winger Todd Bertuzzi in the third period of a March 8, 2004, game.
Moore hasn’t made it to Denver.
Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix said Wednesday that the team hasn’t turned its back on Moore, but that his hands are tied – meaning Moore can’t skate or work out under team auspices without being under contract. Offering him a contract wouldn’t be possible unless he is cleared to take contact, Lacroix said.
“We made it clear to him back then that we will welcome him when he gets a full release on his medical status,” Lacroix said during the Avs’ training camp workout at the Family Sports Center in Centennial. “Last I heard, he didn’t have it yet. A non- contracted player, whether Steve Moore or anybody else … We can’t have a guy, for liability reasons, practice with us. He wanted to train with us.
“He needs to get his medical release, and he was very comfortable with that. He said he could train without taking contact, but we’re in training camp.”
Moore’s contract expired after the 2003-04 season, and he is an unrestricted free agent. His agent, Larry Kelly of Ottawa, confirmed he had contacted the Avalanche and asked about Moore coming to Denver.
“Pierre said, ‘If he can get clearance, give us a shout and we’ll see what the lay of the land is at that point,”‘ Kelly said.
Lacroix said Moore’s pending lawsuit in Denver District Court against the Canucks, Bertuzzi, former Canucks general manager Brian Burke and current Colorado winger Brad May isn’t a factor in the Avalanche’s relationship with Moore.
“We’re not involved in that,” Lacroix said.
A ruling is expected soon on whether Moore’s lawsuit can continue in Colorado. Though the attack took place in Vancouver, the lawsuit argues it has its roots in a Feb. 16, 2004, game in Denver, when Moore’s unpenalized hit on Markus Naslund knocked the Vancouver captain out of the lineup for three games with a concussion. After that game May referred to a “bounty” on Moore. May was signed by the Avalanche as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Moore continues to skate and work out on his own, and he is expected to soon get the results of tests done last month at the Cleveland Clinic. Major lingering problems are related to the concussion he suffered in the attack, although he also suffered fractured neck vertebrae and facial bruises.
Terry Frei can be reached at 303-820-1895 or tfrei@denverpost.com.
