Popular former Leaf Peter Zezel in the fight of his life

sickler · 05-26-09, 03:27 PM

dayum

betplom · 05-26-09, 03:40 PM

The Star reports he is in a coma.

Terrible.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/640713

May 26, 2009 04:17 PM

Paul Hunter
Sports Reporter

Peter Zezel, remembered by Maple Leafs fans as a key contributor to playoff runs to the Western Conference final in 1993 and 1994, is in a Toronto hospital fighting for his life.

The 44-year-old has been battling the blood disorder haemolytic anaemia for the last decade but was leading a normal life to the point that he was coaching in the Don Mills Flyers organization of the GTHL.

However, over the last week he underwent surgery to have his spleen removed and also received chemotherapy treatments. Sources indicate he is now in a coma.

Offensively gifted early in his career, Zezel embraced the role of checking centre and face off specialist in Toronto. Along with linemates Bill Berg and Mark Osborne, he was a huge part of the Leafs' surprising run to a conference final showdown with Wayne Gretzky and the L.A. Kings in 1993. That series went seven games as the Leafs came within one victory of a Stanley Cup appearance against the Montreal Canadiens.

Zezel was born in Toronto and played his junior for the now defunct Marlies at Maple Leaf Gardens. He was hugely popular with Leafs' fans during his playing days and later remained a visible figure around Toronto, coaching in the GTHL and running hockey/soccer camps in Markham.

While playing for the Leafs from 1991 to 1994, he scored 50 goals and totalled 128 points in 207 games.

BatemanPatrickl · 05-26-09, 03:49 PM

44 is way too young. Hoping for a miracle here.

jjgold · 05-26-09, 04:14 PM

Hate to hear these stories, man life is unfair.

BrentCrude · 05-26-09, 04:37 PM

He probably should have looked into alternative medicine.It sounds like another guy that will die by being put in the big pharma mill with all that chemo.Sometimes no matter which route,traditional big crooked pharma or the alternative route,you still die.Just the luck of the draw with a bad beat for him.Too bad.

Man,I live in Minnesota and the poor woman with the chemo kid is getting whooped on by big pharma,the fascist state,the twisted media and the dumbed down sheeple with public opinion.If the kid dies soon,I would sue the state saying that the week they were on the run being stalked by the government without getting alternative treatment killed the kid.

betplom · 05-26-09, 05:19 PM

Toronto's City-TV news at 6PM just reported that Zezel has just been taken off life support and is expected to die very soon.

Sad.

betplom · 05-26-09, 05:54 PM

It was just reported that Zezel has died.