The Canadian Olympic Committee decided Thursday to back the controversial decision to include Todd Bertuzzi in Canada's 2006 Olympic hockey squad.

The objections surrounding Bertuzzi involved his blindside punch of Colorado's Steve Moore in March 2004. Moore suffered three broken vertebrae and a concussion in the attack and is yet to return to the ice.

"It was aberrant behaviour, it's behaviour for which he was punished, and that punishment having taken its course, it's time to move on," COC President Michael Chambers told CTV News.

Bertuzzi pleaded guilty following criminal charges and received a conditional discharge, one year of probation and 80 hours of community service. He was suspended by the NHL and was only reinstated last August.

He had a slow start to the season, but has been showing his old form in recent weeks.

Mark Bender, senior writer with The Hockey News, said the debate on Bertuzzi's past has little to do with his hockey ability, which is formidable.

"Does he have it from a hockey standpoint? I think he does," Bender told CTV Newsnet.

TSN's Michael Landsberg told Canada AM that Bertuzzi should have been left off the team, not for the Moore incident, but for the quality of his play.

"He's not the dominant power player he was," said Landsberg.

"When he was coming back from his suspension, the question with Bertuzzi was could he ever play the game on the edge the way he used to play the game?"

More controversial picks

Two other controversial players have also been approved: the Ottawa Senators' Dany Heatley and the Phoenix Coyotes' Shane Doan.

Heatley is currently on probation after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide after a 2003 car crash led to the death of his close friend and teammate Dan Snyder.

Doan has attracted scrutiny for allegedly uttering a racial slur at a Francophone referee last week, although he has since been cleared by the NHL for any wrongdoing.

Denis Coderre, former secretary of state for amateur sport, is especially upset at Doan's inclusion.

"He (allegedly) said something pretty nasty about Frenchmen, using the f-word, which is totally unacceptable," Coderre told CTV News. "And he didn't show regret or apologize ... The Olympics are about role models."

Team Canada's executive committee announced the roster Wednesday from Vancouver's GM Place. Twenty-three players will defend Canada's Olympic gold medal in Turin, Italy, in February.

Colorado Avalanche forward Joe Sakic will captain the team, and will be joined on the front lines by forwards Jerome Iginla, Simon Gagne, Joe Thornton, and Vincent Lecavalier, who were considered shoo-ins for the team.

The defence will be led by 2002 Team Canada veterans Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur will return as the Canadian netminder.

• For a full Team Canada roster, see below.

Rookie phenom Sidney Crosby did not make the squad.  Crosby has played well in his rookie season for the Pittsburgh Penguins and had the support of Mario Lemieux, who recently took himself out of contention for a spot on the roster because of health problems.

But, at only 18 years of age, some felt he did not have enough experience yet.

"Sidney Crosby might be the leader of the team in 2010," said Kevin Lowe, the team's assistant executive director. "But at this time we felt we wanted to go with proven veteran players."

Crosby's manager said the decision couldn't have been easy for officials.

"I understand and recognize that it's not an easy decision for the Canadian selection committee," Pat Brisson, Crosby's agent told the Canadian Press. "Regardless of their decisions, it was going to create some kind of controversy with the talent pool."

"However, as I've said before, in my opinion Sidney thrives under pressure and could play with anyone in the world and make a difference," Brisson said.

Bender said he wasn't surprised Crosby was left off the list.

"I'm not shocked, no. Crosby's stock has taken a bit of a hit," Bender said, noting that Crosby's point production has slowed down recently.

Bender was surprised that hard-working Eric Staal, who has brought in 45 points for Carolina so far this season, was not chosen for full membership on Team Canada. He was named as an alternate along with Jason Spezza and Brian McCabe.

Team Canada will be coached by Toronto Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn.

Men's Team Roster:

Forwards: Joe Sakic, Jarome Iginla, Simon Gagne, Joe Thornton,Vincent Lecavalier, Dany Heatley, Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Shane Doan, Todd Bertuzzi, Ryan Smyth, Martin St. Louis, Kris Draper.

Defencemen: Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Ed Jovanovski, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Wade Redden, Robyn Regehr.

Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marty Turco.

Alternates: Jason Spezza, Eric Staal, Brian McCabe.

Women's Team Roster:

Forwards: Hayley Wickenheiser, Jayna Hefford, Cassie Campbell, Danielle Goyette, Meghan Agosta, Sarah Vaillancourt, Gillian Apps, Katie Weatherston, Gina Kingsbury, Jennifer Botterill, Cherie Piper, Vicky Sunohara.

Defencemen: Gillian Ferrari, and Carla MacLeod, Cheryl Pounder, Colleen Sostorics, Becky Kellar.

Caroline Ouellette is on the roster as a forward/defenceman

Goaltenders: Charline Labonte, Kim St. Pierre, Sami Jo Small.

Alternate: Delaney Collins