DENVER - Steve Moore is surprised Todd Bertuzzi was reinstated by the NHL for a blindside punch that broke the neck of the former Colorado Avalanche forward.

“It’s difficult to see that he’s able to play again when I still have a long way to go, and not just in hockey, but with my health,” Moore said in Thursday’s Denver Post.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday cleared Bertuzzi to play this season. Bertuzzi was suspended for the final 13 games of the 2003-04 regular season and the playoffs. His banishment continued throughout last season’s NHL lockout.

Moore had extensive tests this week at Cleveland Clinic as doctors attempted to gauge his recovery from the March 8, 2004, hit that left him with a fractured neck and concussion. Results are not expected for several weeks.

“I’m better than I was two months ago, better than I was six months ago, and certainly better than I was 17 months ago,” Moore told the newspaper at his home in suburban Toronto.

He is working out in the gym and on the ice but still experiences occasional wooziness.

“The concussion is more of the issue, for sure,” he said. “The neck feels pretty good.”

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Moore’s lawyer, Tim Danson, said his client is determined to remain upbeat, even though his hockey career could be over.

“There’s a real sadness, a realization that, ’Oh, my gosh, my dream is being smashed.’ But then he brings himself out of that and gets positive again,” Danson said.

The Avalanche have not committed to re-signing Moore if he is cleared to play, although the team agreed to allow him to return to Denver and work with its medical staff.

Moore said he hasn’t heard from Bertuzzi. He has filed a lawsuit in Denver in which he has named Bertuzzi, former Canucks forward Brad May — now with the Avalanche — Canucks coach Marc Crawford, former GM Brian Burke and Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, owner of the Canucks.

Danson believes Moore will drop the suit if he plays again.

“He doesn’t want to be in the courtroom, he wants to be on the ice,” Danson said.