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Former Toronto Maple Leaf and 15-year NHL veteran Peter Zezel has reportedly passed away following surgery complications.

Zezel, who was just 44, had apparently slipped into a coma after suffering an apparent brain hemorrhage during surgery to remove his spleen.

His family made the heart-wrenching decision to take him off life support, and he passed away not long after.

"The hockey community has suffered a great loss today. Peter was a friend and a great family man who was well liked by everyone he crossed paths within our game. Our thoughts are with Peter's family and many friends during this difficult time," NHLPA Director of Player Affairs, Glenn Healy, said on the Association's website.

Zezel had been fighting a rare blood disorder for the past 10 years. He suffered from hemolytic anemia, in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them.

Despite his illness, he stayed active in community, running popular hockey and soccer camps, and coaching the Don Mills Flyers of the GTHL.

"On behalf of the Maple Leafs, I want to convey our deepest sympathies to Peter's family, friends and former teammates," General Manager Brian Burke said in a statement. "He was the consummate professional and he always carried himself with great class as a human being. Peter will be greatly missed."

Zezel was a revered face-off man and penalty killer and spent time with the Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks.

He retired following the 1998-99 season, and went on to play competitive soccer with the Toronto Blizzard of the North American Soccer League and the Canadian Soccer League's North York Rockets.

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