Todd Bertuzzi wasn't always a dirty hockey player, although he has had run-ins with the league officials for his on-ice behavior before.
But what earns the Sudbury, Ontario, native a spot on this list is one of the dirtiest and costliest hits in NHL history: the sucker punch Bertuzzi gave to Steve Moore which ended Moore's hockey career back in 2004.
You can offer whatever excuse you want for Bertuzzi's actions: It was payback for a hit by Moore on Vancouver captain Markus Naslund; that his coach "ordered" him to do it or that a bounty was placed on Moore, but there is nothing that justifies this hit.
The league suspended Bertuzzi indefinitely and didn't reinstate him until after the lockout ended. Criminal charges were later brought against him although he was given a conditional discharge.
Bertuzzi did apologize for his actions and told children who looked to him as a role model that he did not play the game that way.
Since the hit, Bertuzzi has become more or less a journeyman, spending one more season with the Canucks and time with Detroit, Calgary, Florida and Anaheim. He has also cut back on his penalty minutes and physical style of play.
Still, he earned a place on this list with one horrible incident that gave the game of hockey a black eye and cost Steve Moore his NHL career.
