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Bertuzzi wants to make AHL signing about him helping kids

Detroit Red Wings v San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 9: Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings during a break in play against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on January 9, 2014 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

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With roughly half the NHL season in the books, Todd Bertuzzi hasn’t played in a professional hockey game. That will change soon though as he signed with Binghamton, the AHL affiliates of the Ottawa Senators. There’s a potential opening with the big club for a veteran forward and Bertuzzi wouldn’t have started his comeback bid if he didn’t think he could still play in the NHL.

Still, when talking about his future, Bertuzzi didn’t want to make this all about himself.

“I’m coming in here just trying to fill a void here and help out these kids,” Bertuzzi said, per the Press & Sun-Bulletin. “I think these kids needs a little bit of help here now. I know they’re in a little bit of a spin here so maybe I can inject a little bit of energy, or calm the situation down. If I can do it here for a week, two weeks or whatever it is, I’m willing to do it.”

He was referring to Binghamton’s five-game losing streak.

“I’ve been on some teams, I know what it takes and I know it’s a young group here and if there is anything that I can offer or help out, I’m willing to do,” he said.

Bertuzzi, who will turn 40 on Feb. 2, has been practicing on a line with one of Ottawa’s top prospects in 22-year-old Shane Prince. During his time out of the NHL, Bertuzzi was coaching his son’s team and aiding the OHL Guelph Storm, which is the squad his nephew, Tyler Bertuzzi, plays on.

He has 770 points and 1,478 penalty minutes in 1,159 career games.

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