Peter Zezel NHL Legend

On My Walk: Remembering Peter Zezel — Scarborough’s Two-Way Hockey Star

On my walk at Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough, I discovered the grave of the talented two-way center, Peter Zezel.

Born and raised in Scarborough, Peter attended nearby Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute. After skating for the Don Mills Flyers, he progressed to junior hockey with the Toronto Marlies before being drafted 41st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1983. Peter made his NHL debut as a teenager at just 19 years old.

DON MILLS FLYERS1976 Wrigley Champions

But Peter’s athleticism wasn’t limited to hockey—he also played soccer in the off-season. He was drafted by the Toronto Blizzard of the now-defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) and appeared as a striker in three exhibition games, showcasing his versatility as a multi-sport athlete.

With his Hollywood good looks, Peter even made a brief appearance in the 1986 movie “Youngblood”, alongside former Leaf Steve Thomas, starring Rob Lowe and the late Patrick Swayze.

During his NHL career, Peter played four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where coach Pat Burns transformed him into a face-off specialist. Though his scoring numbers declined, his defensive prowess helped Toronto reach the Western Conference Finals in the 1993-94 season.

Peter was also deeply connected to the music world through his close friendship with Alex Lifeson (Aleksandar Živojinović), guitarist for Rush. Both shared Serbian heritage and were like brothers.

Sadly, Peter Zezel passed away in Toronto on May 26, 2009, due to a rare blood disease. He was only 44.

Peter’s gravestone reads as follows:
Memories Eternal 3120.

Memory Eternalis is an exclamation used at the end of an Eastern Orthodox funeral (see grave photo).

1965-2009