Matthew Spezza spent two seasons in Major Junior and passed away at age 37.
Matthew Spezza spent two seasons in Major Junior and passed away at age 37.
Matthew Spezza, the younger brother of former Toronto Maple Leafs player and executive Jason, has passed away.
Jason, now with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant general manager, revealed to news about his brother's passing through the team's social channels on Monday.
“On behalf of my family, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I share that my younger brother, Matthew, passed away due to an accidental overdose over the weekend,” Spezza said in the statement. “My family and I are heartbroken and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Matthew Spezza spent two seasons playing in Major Junior as a goaltender with the Kingston Frontenacs, Ottawa 67s, London Knights, St. John Fog Devils and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He made the news in 2009 when he pulled over to help a woman who was trapped in a car by a man who groped and choked her. His actions prevented a tragic outcome.
Jason spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs before announcing his retirement in 2022 and joined then-Leafs GM Kyle Dubas as an assistant. When the Maple Leafs elected not to renew Dubas' contract last summer, Jason joined Dubas in Pittsburgh where he was named assistant GM.
We at The Hockey News extend our condolences to the Spezza family during this difficult time.
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