Red Wings Wrap-Up: Bertuzzi enjoys return to form in 2021-22

After Tyler Bertuzzi scored his 30th goal of the season during the closing seconds of the Detroit Red Wings' 2021-22 regular-season finale on April 29 against the New Jersey Devils, he couldn't help but grin as his teammates embraced him to celebrate the impressive scoring milestone.

It was a special ending to a bounce-back season for the 27-year-old forward, and a moment that made Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin feel "really proud."
"You see the smiles," Larkin said in his end-of-season media session. "The guys literally jumping up and down - that's all you need to know about Tyler right there. He's a great teammate, a great friend and he works his butt off."

Coming off a nagging back injury that limited Bertuzzi to just nine games in the 2020-21 season, he returned to form in 2021-22 by recording his first-career 30-goal campaign while setting new career-highs in assists (32), points (62) and game-winning goals (five) in 68 games.
"I think every year I've gotten a little bit better in different skillsets," Bertuzzi said in his end-of-season media session. "Juniors, I got a lot better every year just because you're so young. And in pros, I think I'm gonna continue to get better every year."

After undergoing back surgery in April 2021 and working hard to return to full health, Bertuzzi said the risk of re-injury made him nervous during Training Camp last September.
Fortunately, Bertuzzi relaxed any concerns about his back throughout the year, eventually finishing as the Red Wings' second-highest scorer in his sixth NHL season.
"I had no problems at all," the Sudbury, Ontario native said. "And I was very happy about that."
Amongst Bertuzzi's most memorable performances in 2021-22 included his first career four-goal game against the two-time defending Stanley Cup-champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Opening Night at Little Caesars Arena.

"The atmosphere felt like it was a playoff game," Bertuzzi said that night (Oct. 14, 2021). "It was good to have (the fans) back. It was good to just play again."
Not only did Bertuzzi establish himself as an experienced one-two punch alongside Larkin this season. He also emerged as a mentor for younger players like Lucas Raymond. "They helped me out a lot," Raymond said about Bertuzzi and Larkin in his end-of-season media session. "Not only on the ice, but off the ice a lot too. Just with communication and helping me out there so they were huge for me."
Like Larkin, Bertuzzi is entering the final season of his contract - a two-year deal he signed in 2021 - and the forward said he wants to stay with the organization that drafted him 58th overall in 2013.

"I wanna sign here," Bertuzzi said. "I love it here. You know, every player wants to sign contracts and be in the league as long as possible. But I still have another year left."
Now fueled by his success this season, Bertuzzi is focused on being even better in 2022-23.
"I'm think I'm gonna continue to get better every year," Bertuzzi said. "I think I can score 20, yeah, and then obviously I scored 30. I'm just gonna try to keep doing what I'm doing."