Peter Zezel: An Amazing Individual Who Will Be Truly Missed

When I think of former NHL forward Peter Zezel, I don’t think of his strong two-way play or his domination in the face off circle.

What really sticks out in my mind is the compassionate person off the ice, who put his family needs first.

I believe it was in 1999 when I read that this Toronto native, who was only 33 at the time refused to report to his new team after being traded at the March trade deadline.

Apparently—and I don’t remember all the details—days before the deadline, he told the Vancouver Canucks management that he didn’t want to move due to wanting to be with his niece, who didn’t have long to live due to cancer.

Showing what kind of person he was Zezel, who passed away on Tuesday, ended up walking away from hockey after learning that the Canucks did in fact trade him. Instead of leaving for a new team, Zezel decided to walk away from hockey in order to spend time with his ailing niece.

Even though he only lived to be 44 years old, Zezel touched a lot of people in his hockey life—including Philadelphia Flyers chairman Ed Snyder. Snyder was instrumental in drafting this former Toronto Marlies star 41st overall back in 1983.

“I’m personally very, very sad today with the news of Peter’s passing,” Snider said about Zezel, who died from a rare blood disease, hemolytic anemia. “I spoke to him last week when I first learned he was having problems. He was hopeful, as was I, and all of those who loved him. Peter was a good friend of mine and this is a real tragedy.”

This 15-year veteran, who broke into the Flyers lineup in 1984 as a teenager and later played with the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and the Canucks has been battling this blood disorder for the past decade—and almost lost the battle back in 2001 when it left him in critical condition.

After bouncing back, Zezel who made a brief appearance in the 1986 movie ‘Youngblood’, remained in the hockey community, where he ran a hockey school and also coaching in the Greater Toronto Hockey Association. After his career Zezel remained involved with the NHL Alumni Association, where he put in many hours of charity work.

Last week, he was admitted to the hospital where he was supposed to undergo surgery. His condition suddenly worsened—and as a result the hockey world suffered a tremendous loss.

“Peter was the ultimate caring friend and teammate,” Maple Leafs alumni board member and former Leafs linemate Mark Osborne said. “He was so dedicated to his family and friends and he would always freely give of his time and energies to help someone else. He was truly a passionate and loyal friend both on and off the ice. Our hockey family is devastated.”

Zezel, who scored 219 goals and 389 assists in his career, had his best seasons in 1986-87 in Philadelphia and 1989-90 with the Blues when he scored 72 points. Instead of giving flowers, Zezel’s family are requesting that donations be made out in his name to the James Birrell Fund at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

“Peter will forever be remembered as a great teammate and a wonderful individual who touched the lives of many both on and off the ice,” Zezel’s family said. “In his typical character of generosity, Peter donated his organs through the Trillium Gift of Life Network.”

That donation shows what kind of generous and caring person he was. It’s a shame that the hockey world lost such a great man at a young age.