As a hockey player, Peter Zezel was expert at taking what was given him and making the best of it. He did the same thing later in his life when he was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.

Zezel died in a Toronto hospital after being admitted last week when his condition, hemolytic anemia, flared up. He was 44.

Zezel was a defensive stalwart of the Maple Leafs 1993 and 1994 final four teams. An offensive player when he reached Toronto in 1991, (Zezel once scored 33 goals with the Philadelphia Flyers) he immediately adapted to Pat Burns’ demand that he put most of his energy into the defensive part of the game.

Powerfully built with a low sense of gravity, Zezel became an esteemed checker and, thanks to a background in soccer, a force in the face-off circle.

Zezel scored 50-regular season goals as a Leaf but it was his ability to adapt to the defensive game that kept him in the league for 15 years.

“When you look at guys who make the NHL, it’s often about that little extra,” said former Leaf Steve Thomas who played with Zezel when the two were 17-year-old members of the Toronto Marlies. “Peter was one of those guys who was never satisfied with the way he was playing. He always wanted to be a little better.”

Zezel would end up playing on seven teams. A Toronto native, he retired to the city in 1999 and ran a series of hockey and sports camps.

He almost died of his blood condition in 2001 and the medication that kept him alive made him gain a tremendous amount of weight.

Thomas said the physical effects of the medication bothered Zezel. “As a professional athlete, he was aware of what people saw. I think Peter was self-conscious about it and I know a lot of times I told people that the weight was a side-effect of the drugs.”

What Thomas remembers is a kind-hearted competitor.

“I know he told his Mom that he was satisfied with his life, that he had no regrets. He was just a great, great guy. Everyone will miss not having him around.”

14 Responses to “Zezel Always Made Most Of What He Had”
  1. I was just googling around about this when I found your blog post. I’m simply dropping by to say that I really enjoyed reading this post, it is very clear and well written. Are you going to write more about this? It appears like there is more fodder here for more posts.

  2. Thanks for writing, I very much liked reading your most recent post. I think you should post more frequently, you obviously have talent for blogging!

  3. Thanks for posting, I very much liked your most recent post. I think you should post more frequently, you clearly have natural ability for blogging!

  4. Hey, have you seen this news article?
    New details about Michael Jackson’s Death Emerge
    I was wondering if you were going to blog about this…

  5. Cool post, just subscribed.

  6. Мда, посмотри каких только ГСов не придумают.

    ———————————————

    Музыка - cкачать клубную музыку

    Все для CMS - wordpress шаблоны

    Развлекательный портал - скачат музыку mp3

    Игровой портал - игры cтрелялки

    IT Портал - рейтинг видеокарт

    Все для мобильного - мобильный интернет

    Мобильный портал - смартфон

  7. Интересный блог у вас!

    Вот мои, смотрите:

    Развлекательный портал - cкачать игры pc
    ——–
    Новостной портал - новости бокса
    ——–
    Игровой портал - игровые новости
    ——–
    Туристический портал - развитие туризма
    ——–
    Юмористический портал - юмор
    ——–
    Антивирусы - ключи +для касперского 7
    ——–
    Варез портал - скачать аниме бесплатно
    ——–
    Игры - скачать игры для ps2
    ——–
    Вконтакте - скачать видео вконтакте

  8. Medicamentspot.com International Legal RX Medications. Special Internet Prices (up to 40% off average US price). NO PRIOR PRESCRIPTION REQUIRED!…

    Combivir@buy.online” rel=”nofollow”>.…

  9. PillSpot.org. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Special Internet Prices(up to 40% off average US price).PillSpot.org. Vitamins@buy.online” rel=”nofollow”>.…

    Categories: Mens Health.Mental Health/Epilepsy.Antibiotics.Cholesterol.Antiviral.Stomach.Antidiabetic.Anti-allergic/Asthma.Eye Care.Antidepressants.Skin Care.Vitamins/Herbal Supplements.Pain Relief.Womens Health.Blood Pressure/Heart.Weight Loss.St…


  10. Medicamentspot.com. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Best quality drugs.Special Internet Prices. Online Pharmacy. Buy pills online

    Buy:Viagra Soft Tabs.Viagra.Cialis Professional.Cialis Soft Tabs.Viagra Super Active+.Viagra Professional.Viagra Super Force.Levitra.Maxaman.Zithromax.Tramadol.Super Active ED Pack.Soma.Cialis.Propecia.Cialis Super Active+.VPXL….

Leave a Reply