Tyler Bertuzzi Explained

Tyler Bertuzzi
Birth Date:24 February 1995
Birth Place:Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:190
Position:Left wing
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Former Teams:Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ntl Team:CAN
Draft:58th overall
Draft Year:2013
Draft Team:Detroit Red Wings
Career Start:2015

Tyler Bertuzzi (born February 24, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bertuzzi was drafted 58th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Junior

Bertuzzi was drafted by the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 78th overall in the 2011 OHL Entry Draft.[1] During the 2011–12 season, Bertuzzi played in 61 games for Guelph in his first full year in the OHL. In his first nine games in the OHL, Bertuzzi had six fights, becoming known as someone who played tough.[2] Bertuzzi finished the season with six goals in 61 games.[3] Bertuzzi played in all six of Guelph's playoff games, finishing the series with two assists.

During the 2012–13 season, Bertuzzi had 13 goals and had nine assists in 43 games. Bertuzzi played in all five playoff games with Guelph, finishing with no points and 14 penalty minutes. At the conclusion of the season, Bertuzzi was selected in the second round, 58th overall by the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

During the 2013–14 season, Bertuzzi only played in 29 games, finishing the season with 10 goals and 25 assists, helping the Storm capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions and advance to the Memorial Cup championship game. Bertuzzi led the Memorial Cup with five goals in four games. Guelph played 18 playoff games, with Bertuzzi playing in all, scoring 10 goals, seven assists, and a +24 rating.

During the 2014–15 season, Bertuzzi had his best season of his career, leading Guelph Storm in scoring with 98 points while playing in all of the team's 68 games. Bertuzzi also led Guelph in goals (43), assists (55), penalty minutes (91), and plus/minus +26. Through nine games in the playoffs, Bertuzzi tied the team in scoring with eight points. Bertuzzi was named an OHL all-star, finishing the season ranked tenth in OHL scoring.

Professional

Detroit Red Wings (2014–2023)

On October 17, 2014, the Red Wings signed Bertuzzi to a three-year entry-level contract.[4]

After finishing his season with Guelph Storm, Bertuzzi played two regular season games of the 2014–15 season. He made his professional debut for the Grand Rapids Griffins on April 16, 2015, in a game against the Lake Erie Monsters. In his second AHL game, also against the Lake Erie Monsters, he scored his first professional goal against Calvin Pickard.

On November 7, 2016, Bertuzzi was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings, and made his NHL debut the next day in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to being recalled Bertuzzi recorded two goals and two assists in nine games for the Griffins.[5] On November 15, Bertuzzi was assigned to Grand Rapids. Bertuzzi appeared in three games for the Red Wings, logging five hits and two shots on goal in 9:57 average time on ice.[6] Bertuzzi was again recalled by the Red Wings on November 17.[7] During the 2016–17 season, Bertuzzi recorded 12 goals and 25 assists in 48 games during the regular season. During the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs, he recorded nine goals and 10 assists in 19 games, to help lead the Griffins to the Calder Cup, and was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the Most Valuable Player. He set the Griffins' franchise record with 23 career playoff goals.[8] [9]

On December 21, 2017 Bertuzzi was recalled by the Red Wings. Prior to being recalled he recorded seven goals and seven assists in 16 games for the Griffins.[10] Bertuzzi recorded his first career NHL goal against Jeff Glass of the Chicago Blackhawks on January 14, 2018.[11] During the 2017–18 season he recorded seven goals and 17 assists in 48 games for the Red Wings.

On June 25, 2018, the Red Wings signed Bertuzzi to a two-year contract extension.[12] On January 12, 2019, Bertuzzi recorded his first career hat-trick against Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild.[13] Bertuzzi was named the NHL Second Star of the week, for the week ending April 1. He shared the league lead with three goals and seven assists in four games. He registered three straight three-point performances, posting two goals and one assist, including his first career overtime goal, in a 5–4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on March 28, one goal and two assists in a 4–0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on March 29 and three assists in a 6–3 victory over the Boston Bruins on March 31. Bertuzzi became the first Detroit player to record three consecutive three-point games since Steve Yzerman in 1992–93.[14] On April 2, Bertuzzi recorded two goals and one assist in a 4–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He became the first player in Red Wings franchise history to record four consecutive three-point games.[15]

On October 28, 2020, the Red Wings signed Bertuzzi to a one-year, $3.5 million contract.[16] In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Bertuzzi appeared in just nine regular season games, collecting seven points, before he was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a back injury. It was announced that he underwent back surgery on April 30, 2021.[17] On July 31, 2021, the Red Wings signed Bertuzzi to a two-year contract extension.[18] During the 2022–23 season, Bertuzzi, was limited to 29 games due to injury, and recorded four goals and 10 assists in 16:29 average time on ice.[19]

Boston Bruins (2023)

On March 2, 2023, Bertuzzi was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.[20] He played 21 games for the Bruins and another 7 in the playoffs, concluding his career in Boston.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2023–2024)

On July 2, 2023, Bertuzzi, considered one of the top free agents, was signed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[21]

Following the death of professional hockey player Adam Johnson from a skate blade cut to the neck in the middle of a game, Bertuzzi donned a neck guard in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 24, becoming the first active NHL player to wear a neck guard in a game since Johnson's death.[22]

Chicago Blackhawks (2024–present)

On July 1, 2024, Bertuzzi signed as a free agent to a four-year, $22 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[23]

International play

On April 29, 2019, Bertuzzi was selected to make his international debut after he was named to the Team Canada roster for the 2019 IIHF World Championship, held in Slovakia.[24] He helped Canada progress through to the playoff rounds before losing the final to Finland to finish with the Silver Medal on May 26, 2019.[25] Bertuzzi finished the tournament going scoreless through 5 games.

Personal life

Bertuzzi is the son of Angela Bertuzzi, an educational assistant, and Adrian Gedye, a talent agent and businessman.[26] [27] He has two brothers: Evan and Matthew Gedye.[28] His cousins, Tag and Jaden Bertuzzi, also play hockey.[29] Bertuzzi is the nephew of former NHL player Todd Bertuzzi.[30]

Tag was selected second overall by Guelph Storm in the 2017 OHL draft.[31]

In September 2021, it came out that Bertuzzi was not vaccinated against COVID-19. As a result, he was not allowed to cross the border to play in Canada and had to surrender more than $450,000 of his $4.75 million salary.[32]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2011–12Guelph StormOHL616111711760227
2012–13Guelph StormOHL431392268500014
2013–14Guelph StormOHL2910253549181071724
2014–15Guelph StormOHL6843559891962810
2014–15Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL2101014751210
2015–16Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL7112183013397188
2016–17Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL4812253737199101950
2016–17Detroit Red WingsNHL70000
2017–18Grand Rapids GriffinsAHL16771434
2017–18Detroit Red WingsNHL487172439
2018–19Detroit Red WingsNHL7321264736
2019–20Detroit Red WingsNHL7121274840
2020–21Detroit Red WingsNHL95274
2021–22Detroit Red WingsNHL6830326247
2022–23Detroit Red WingsNHL294101423
2022–23Boston BruinsNHL214121667551026
2023–24Toronto Maple LeafsNHL802122435371346
NHL totals40611314826124814681432

International

Awards and honours

AwardYear
OHL
Second All-Star Team2015[33]
AHL
Jack A. Butterfield Trophy2017
Calder Cup champion2017
NHL
All-Star Game2020[34]

Notes and References

  1. News: Duff . Bob . Bertuzzi's nephew makes Storm lineup . February 2, 2019 . The Windsor Star . September 22, 2011.
  2. Web site: 'Baby Bert' carries a big rattle . Guelph Mercury . October 26, 2011 . October 8, 2023.
  3. Web site: Wings prospect Bertuzzi stops fighting, starts playing . The Detroit News . Krupa . Gregg . September 25, 2015 . October 8, 2023.
  4. Web site: Detroit signs prospect Bertuzzi to three-year deal . . Alex . DiFilippo . October 17, 2014 . April 27, 2016 .
  5. Web site: Red Wings recall Tyler Bertuzzi . . Kyle . Kujawa . November 7, 2016 . November 7, 2016 .
  6. Web site: Bertuzzi assigned to Grand Rapids . . Kyle . Kujawa . November 15, 2016 . November 15, 2016 .
  7. Web site: Bertuzzi rejoins Red Wings . . Kyle . Kujawa . November 17, 2016 . November 17, 2016 .
  8. Web site: Grand Rapids Griffins win Calder Cup at home . . Dana . Wakiji . June 13, 2017 . June 13, 2017.
  9. Web site: Ain't It Grand . . June 13, 2017 . June 13, 2017 . December 24, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171224213555/http://griffinshockey.com/news/releases/?article_id=3770 . dead .
  10. Web site: Detroit recalls left wing Tyler Bertuzzi . . Kyle . Kujawa . December 21, 2017 . December 21, 2017.
  11. Web site: Tyler Bertuzzi scores first career goal as Red Wings beat Blackhawks. sportsnet.ca. March 11, 2018. Chicago. January 14, 2018.
  12. Web site: Red Wings agree to terms with Bertuzzi and Frk. Detroit Red Wings. Kyle. Kujawa. June 25, 2018. June 25, 2018.
  13. Web site: Tyler Bertuzzi hat trick leads Red Wings past Minnesota Wild 5-2. Detroit Free Press. Helene. St. James. January 12, 2019. January 12, 2019.
  14. Web site: Bobrovsky leads 3 Stars of the Week. NHL.com. April 1, 2019. April 1, 2019.
  15. Web site: Another big night for Tyler Bertuzzi and Red Wings run streak to six . MLive.com . Ansar . Khan . April 2, 2019 . April 2, 2019.
  16. Web site: Bertuzzi gets one-year, $3.5M contract with Red Wings from arbitrator . NHL.com . October 28, 2020 . October 28, 2020.
  17. Web site: Red Wings' Bertuzzi undergoes back surgery . . May 5, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  18. Web site: Red Wings re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi to two-year contract . NHL.com . Kyle . Kujawa . July 31, 2021 . July 31, 2021.
  19. Web site: Red Wings acquire 2024 1st-round; 2025 4th-round from Bruins for Bertuzzi . NHL.com . Thomas . Roth . March 2, 2023 . March 2, 2023.
  20. Web site: Bertuzzi traded to Bruins by Red Wings for 2 draft picks . NHL.com . March 2, 2023 . March 2, 2023.
  21. Web site: Maple Leafs sign forward Tyler Bertuzzi . . July 2, 2023 . July 2, 2023.
  22. News: Ellis . Krysyan . November 30, 2023 . NHL players start wearing neck guards after Adam Johnson’s death . . December 19, 2023.
  23. Web site: Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi headline Blackhawks' huge wave of free-agent signings . Pope . Ben . Chicago Sun-Times . July 1, 2024 . July 4, 2024 . subscription.
  24. Web site: Hockey Canada names 22 players to 2019 IIHF World Championship roster . . April 29, 2019 . April 29, 2019 .
  25. Web site: Finland defeats Canada for Gold Medal at World Championship . . May 26, 2019 . May 26, 2019.
  26. News: Leeson . Ben . NHLer urges students to follow dreams . February 2, 2019 . The Sudbury Star . April 19, 2018.
  27. Web site: Anderson . Rachel . Red Wings Dads: Raising the Next NHL Generation . thehockeywriters.com . February 2, 2019 . June 17, 2018.
  28. Web site: Bertuzzi – Version 2.0. guelphstorm.com. March 11, 2018. October 4, 2012. March 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180312084008/http://guelphstorm.com/bertuzzi-version-2-0. dead.
  29. Web site: Jaden Bertuzzi. eliteprospects.com. March 11, 2018.
  30. News: St. James . Helene . July 9, 2013 . Tyler Bertuzzi says he's meaner than uncle, Todd . May 18, 2016 . USA Today.
  31. Web site: Kennedy. Ryan. Tag Bertuzzi Wears the Family Name Proudly in Guelph. The Hockey News. March 11, 2018. September 7, 2017.
  32. Web site: Red Wings' Tyler Bertuzzi stands firm against vaccination. Yahoo! Sports . Cuthbert . Ben . September 22, 2021 . July 4, 2024 . en-CA.
  33. Web site: OHL Announces 2014-15 All-Star Teams . . May 20, 2015 . June 29, 2017.
  34. Web site: NHL All-Star Game rosters revealed . . December 30, 2019 . December 30, 2019.