Peter Zezel was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 15 seasons. He was born on April 22, 1965, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and began his hockey career playing for the Toronto Marlboros in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Zezel was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 1984-85 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable center and was known for his strong defensive play and faceoff skills. He played for the Flyers for six seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 1991.
During his time with the Blues, Zezel continued to be a consistent performer and helped the team reach the playoffs in each of his three seasons with the team. He was then traded to the Washington Capitals in 1994, where he played for one season before being traded to the Dallas Stars.
Zezel played for the Stars for two seasons before being traded to the New Jersey Devils in 1997. He played a key role in helping the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in four games.
After his stint with the Devils, Zezel played for the Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs before retiring in 1999. He finished his NHL career with 219 goals and 389 assists for a total of 608 points in 873 games.
Off the ice, Zezel was known for his charitable work and was involved in various community initiatives throughout his career. He was also a talented musician and released an album of original songs in 1999.
Tragically, Zezel was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder in 2001 and passed away on May 26, 2009, at the age of 44. He is remembered as a skilled and hardworking player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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