Hockey Fun Fact #2: In Memory of Peter Zezel

Pete Zezel was 44 years old.

He passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with a blood disorder.

15 year veteran of the NHL, he played for many a teams, including Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, TORONTO, Dallas, New Jersey, and Vancouver. 873 games played, he was a 0.7 pts per game producer, including six 50 or more point seasons. Clearly a favoured player on every team, especially in Toronto during their early 90's Conference finals runs. He was drafted 41st overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft (hmmm similar spot to that of Chelios, but two years later).

He retired a Canuck in 1999 after he requested a trade to an Eastern team to be closer to a terminally ill relative. After his request, Brian Burke (then GM of the Canucks) traded Zezel to Anaheim. Zezel never reported to the Ducks after the controversial trade. Oooh Burkey, that was rude...

In 1984-85 (rookie season), Zezel set a team record with the Flyers recording 46 assists in his rookie season.

A Toronto, ON native, Zezel was also a top soccer prospect, playing for the U-21 Canadian soccer team as a youth. He continued playing hockey after retiring in the Greater Toronto Area, and ran 11 hockey camps between now and then.

The hockey world will remember you Pete, and our condolences are with the Zezel family.