Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Remembering Zezel

Wonderful post, Bill.

I remember Zezel best for his play in the 1993 Campbell Conference Finals. He repeatedly won key faceoffs and played a disciplined game. He was taken too soon.

As for Brian Burke...SMH...

Great blog. Thanks Bill.

And RIP.

Wow, whatta a b*tch move from Burke.

I knew Peter from his first day as a rookie with the Flyers and remember him as perhaps the most caring and generous person I have ever known in the game. As Bill notes in his blog this was especially true of how he cared for children and how much time he devoted to teaching them the joys of sport. Despite his own seriousness illness he never stopped giving and his loss at just 44 was a great one indeed.

Nice write up. RIP Peter, My favorite all time Flyer. I still remember clear as day, 1985 when the piece of garbage Dale Hunter, tried to drill Zezel behind the goal when he played for Quebec and Zezel countered it and smashed him through the glass.

Great blog, Bill; brought back some nice memories. RIP Peter Zezel, you are missed.

And thanks to all of our veterans for your service and sacrifice. You are the true heroes!

This story affirms it to me that Brian Burke is one of the biggest douches in the world. Sad for zezel rip.

This story affirms it to me that Brian Burke is one of the biggest douches in the world. Sad for zezel rip.
- PhillaBully

Yes it does confirm that about Burke. Never have liked anything about him.


RIP... Zezel


To all the American Flyer fans out there ... Have a Great Memorial Day vacation!

Thank you for taking the time to remember Peter Zezel.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Remembering Zezel
- bmeltzer

Bill, thanks for the touching blog today.

Peter Zezel was one of my favorite players during the Era of Flyers hockey I remember most fondly. The mid 1980's Keenan teams remain my favorite time of Flyers hockey. Those teams were so much fun to watch, and combined with the optimism of a young kid who had a vague memory of the Stanley Cup winning teams, this young and unheralded team was a combination of David AND Goliath.

I remember those days and players with nothing but the memory of a kid whose heroes could do no wrong, and now, far too many of them have passed away.

RIP, Peter...thank you for the joy and memories.

Thanks for a great read, Bill. Many fond memories of Peter Zezel as a Blue, but the thing that sticks out most is the 180 spin he always did facing up to the dot. A great guy gone way too soon.

I remember seeing Peter at the airport with his girlfriend going on vacation. Peter always had a smile on his face and I remember his legs were like tree trunks

Thank you for an awesome blog about an awesome individual!!!

Zezel was a class act!!!

Thanks for a great read, Bill. Many fond memories of Peter Zezel as a Blue, but the thing that sticks out most is the 180 spin he always did facing up to the dot. A great guy gone way too soon.


- bluenatic411

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Remembering Zezel
- bmeltzer

thanks, bill. terrific detail and touching. while he was only in the orange and black for those 4+ seasons, to me, and probably a lot of hockey fans, he's remembered as a flyer, and he was one of my favorites.

aside from the hunter through the glass shoulder check in the 85 WCF, the other play i remember most is his game winner against grant fuhr from the bottom of the right circle in the 86 opener at the spectrum, hextall's rookie game. he did this little backwards, crossover jig with his arms up in the air in celebration. i can still remember the smile and joy on his face.

it broke my heart when they traded him, as it did every single time one of those mid 80s players was traded. ilkka, propp, poulin, zezel, marsh, and on and on. it literally broke my heart. it still does.

burke. i'll just leave it there. zezel was a better person than he was an athlete, and he was a pretty damn good athlete.

RIP.

Lovely tribute Bill.

I always liked how Zezel played with such joy. Even at the end of his career you got a sense that he was just having a lot of fun... and he was fun to watch.

I still remember when Burke pulled that classless move.

Time does not diminish my feelings of disgust towards Burke for that.

Bill, thanks for the touching blog today.

Peter Zezel was one of my favorite players during the Era of Flyers hockey I remember most fondly. The mid 1980's Keenan teams remain my favorite time of Flyers hockey. Those teams were so much fun to watch, and combined with the optimism of a young kid who had a vague memory of the Stanley Cup winning teams, this young and unheralded team was a combination of David AND Goliath.

I remember those days and players with nothing but the memory of a kid whose heroes could do no wrong, and now, far too many of them have passed away.

RIP, Peter...thank you for the joy and memories.


- Jsaquella

the best part of this clip, for me, is listening to gene hart. damn, do i miss him. there are/have been many terrific broadcasters over the years, but they broke the mold when they made him.

seeing pelle, mcrimmon, and zezel all on the ice together. oy.....

Cheers, Peter.

good read Bill.. nice article.

Zezel was a favourite in Leafsland as well...

had the chance to meet him shortly before his passing.. nice guy. signed the bill of my Leafs hat.

Great write-up, Bill ... thanks.

Did Burke ever comment on his decision? I remember when the Regina Pats traded D. Hulak to the Saskatoon Blades a few years ago so he could be closer to his Mother who had Cancer. I thought it was one of the classiest things I ever read about.

I lived next door to Zezel at the jersey shore during the summer......he really was as described his death hurt and this article brought a tear to my eye great writing piece! It just brought me back to a time in my life when the world just seemed simple nice job Bill