12/21/24
May 27, 2009
Zezel gave Maple Leafs (and hockey) more than puck skills: Proud local ex-Leaf dead at 44 after battle with blood disorder.
The matinee idol looks, and his fierce pride in wearing the Maple Leafs' jersey, won him countless fans in this city. Zezel, only 44 when he died yesterday of complications from a blood disorder, will always be remembered for being part of that 1992-93 Leafs team that took Toronto on a delirious run through the 1993 playoffs. The roller-coaster ride of emotion fell one game short of an appearance in the Stanley Cup final but Zezel's relentless checking, his faceoff prowess and his dogged penalty killing came to symbolize the individual sacrifice required to go deep in the playoffs. For two years – the Leafs returned to the Western Conference final in 1994 – Zezel was a hugely popular fixture on one of the best teams in hockey. "When it came to charity work, if anybody called him to do anything, he was there to do it," recalls former teammate Bob McGill. "That's how he was in hockey too. He'd do whatever was needed."
posted by tommytrump to hockey at 06:39 PM - 4 comments
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posted by BornIcon at 01:07 PM on May 28, 2009
He was always one of my favorites, from his days with the Flyers through the Leafs. He played hockey exactly how it should be played, tough, clean, and fearless. RIP.
posted by tahoemoj at 02:29 PM on May 28, 2009
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posted by Howard_T at 03:36 PM on May 29, 2009
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Was just going to post this, it's sad to see anyone go that young. Seems to be a popular age, though...both Wayman Tisdale and Kevin Duckworth were 44 when they passed...