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50-year-old ex-Vancouver Canucks forward Bertuzzi to play high-level hockey for first time in 11 years

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
|
Jul 4 2025, 4:14 pm
50-year-old ex-Vancouver Canucks forward Bertuzzi to play high-level hockey for first time in 11 years
@Canucks/X

Longtime Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi is set to return to the ice for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Bertuzzi, who enjoyed a 1,156-game career, last played in the NHL during the 2013-14 season. He spent the 2014-15 season in the AHL before hanging up the skates. That is, until now.

The 50-year-old announced during a press conference this morning that he will be returning to competitive hockey for the first time in 11 years this coming season, as he will be playing Senior AAA with the Cambridge Hornets.

“I believe it’s like riding a bike,” Bertuzzi said. “Obviously there’s going to be a lot of younger guys, faster guys and all that. I respect the league and I respect what they’re doing. I’m not coming back as a carnival. I feel healthy enough to play, and I’d love to come play with them and help them win a championship.”

Bertuzzi knows he is coming back with a clear emphasis on providing a leadership role to the Hornets.

“I think with me it’s about sharing what I know about hockey and what I’ve been through,” Bertuzzi said. “I’ve been on a lot of teams, been in some great dressing rooms with some great players and all that. I’ve got a fair amount of knowledge for the game, and I think I can help out this group.”

Bertuzzi spent 518 games of his NHL career in a Canucks sweater, during which time he scored 188 goals and 449 points. Throughout his career, he had 314 goals and 770 points along with 1,478 penalty minutes.

This upcoming season marks the return of the Hornets, who last played in the 2005-06 season. They have been a very successful organization in the past, winning three Allan Cups, albeit the last coming in 1983.

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