Vancouver, BC (Betting Express) - Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi has been charged with assault for his vicious hit against Colorado's Steven Moore in a March 8 game.

After an investigation of more than three months, the charges of assault causing bodily harm were announced Thursday by the criminal justice branch of the ministry of the attorney general.

A court date of July 9 has been scheduled.

Bertuzzi punched Moore in the head from behind and then jumped on his back and drove him face-first into the ice, knocking him unconscious. Moore, who scored a goal earlier in the game, laid motionless in a puddle of blood before being carted off on a stretcher.

Moore was hospitalized with a broken neck, a concussion and deep cuts on his face. It is unknown if Moore will be able to play again.

Bertuzzi's actions appeared to be in retaliation for a hit Moore delivered to Canucks captain and Bertuzzi's friend Markus Naslund in February. The open-ice hit by Moore sidelined Naslund with a concussion for three games. After that game, Vancouver players vowed to get even with Moore.

The NHL came down hard on Bertuzzi, who was suspended for the final 13 games of the regular season and the 2004 playoffs. The penalty cost him more than $500,000 of his $6.8 million salary.

The Canucks were also fined $250,000, while Bertuzzi's eligibility for the 2004-05 NHL season will be determined by Commissioner Gary Bettman prior to the start of training camp.

Bertuzzi made a tearful apology two nights after the game.

"Steve, I just want to apologize for what happened out there," Bertuzzi said in a prepared statement that night. "I had no intention of hurting you. I feel awful for what transpired.

"To Steve's family, I'm sorry you had to go through this and I'm sorry again for what happened out there," Bertuzzi continued. "I'm relieved to hear that Steve is going to have a full recovery. It means a lot to me to know that's going to happen.

"To the game of hockey and the fans of Vancouver, for the kids that watch this game, I am truly story," Bertuzzi added. "I don't play the game that way. I'm not a mean-spirited person and I'm sorry for what happened."

Bertuzzi recorded 17 goals and 43 assists in 69 games during the season, and the Canucks struggled in the playoffs without him, falling to Calgary in the first round.

This is the second time in four years law enforcement has looked into an on- ice hit at an NHL game in Vancouver.

In February 2000, former Boston Bruin Marty McSorley was charged for hitting then-Vancouver Canuck Donald Brashear with his stick. McSorley was convicted of assault with a weapon and received an 18-month conditional discharge, avoiding a prison sentence and no criminal record after probation.

The league suspended McSorley for a year and he retired after a 17-year NHL career.