The Anaheim Ducks signed free-agent forward Todd Bertuzzi on Monday, reuniting the player with his former general manager in Vancouver, Brian Burke.
Bertuzzi, 32, signed a two-year deal with the Stanley Cup champions worth $8 million US.
Todd Bertuzzi played in just 31 games for Detroit and Florida.
(Jerry S. Mendoza/Associated Press)
"Todd Bertuzzi is a hard-nosed, physical player and a proven goal-scorer," Burke said in a statement. "Adding another imposing presence to our lineup with scoring touch is something we could not pass up."
Bertuzzi enjoyed his best season in 2002-03 while a member of the Vancouver Canucks, recording 45 goals and 52 assists.
Burke was the Canucks' GM at the time, as well as in March 2004, when Bertuzzi delivered a vicious punch on Steve Moore of the Colorado Avalanche.
Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely and reinstated after the 2005 lockout, a suspension that amounted to 20 games. He was a controversial selection to Canada's 2006 Olympic hockey team.
Moore has not played since.
The Ducks will be Bertuzzi's third team in just over a year.
Vancouver sent the forward to the Florida Panthers as part of a multi-player deal that saw goaltender Roberto Luongo go to the Canucks.
Bertuzzi played just seven games for the Panthers, scoring once, before being hampered by a herniated disc in his back.
The Sudbury, Ont., native was acquired at the trade deadline in February by the Detroit Red Wings and showed flashes of his old form as the team advanced to the Western Conference final, where the Wings lost to the Ducks. Bertuzzi had three goals and four assists in 16 playoff games.
It was the second time in as many days Burke acquired a player last on the Detroit roster. Mobile defenceman Mathieu Schneider inked a lucrative two-year deal on Sunday with Anaheim, raising speculation that Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer would announce his retirement.
Niedermayer has yet to make a formal announcement but is reportedly leaning toward ending his career.
