Ottawa Senators assistant coach Mark Reeds passed away in St. Louis, after a battle with cancer. He was 55 years old.
“It is with very heavy hearts that all of us within the Senators family remember Mark who was truly a wonderful father, husband, player, coach and friend. Mark’s charismatic fighting spirit was present right until the end. We are all better for having had the opportunity to work so closely with Mark whose passion for life, hockey and his family will leave an indelible mark on our organization. The entire Ottawa Senators organization sends its deepest condolences to the Reeds family,” said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk in the release.
The Toronto-born Reeds was a former NHL player and Ontario Hockey League coach with the Owen Sound Attack. He had been hospitalized with pneumonia.
The Senators announced he had cancer in March of 2014, and head coach Dave Cameron repeatedly asked for people to keep Reeds and his family in their thoughts.
Reeds played his junior hockey with the Toronto Marlboros and Peterborough Petes. He was a fifth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues in 1979. Reeds went on to serve as a coach with the Peoria Rivermen, Missouri River Otters, Kalamazoo Wings, Owen Sound Attack and the Ottawa Senators.
Reeds skated in 365 NHL games, registering 159 points (45 goals, 114 assists) with the Blues and the Hartford Whalers between 1981 and 1989.
Reeds is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children, Kyle and Kelsey.
“As a player, a coach and a mentor for so many players – from teenagers in junior hockey to the best players in the world at the National Hockey League level – Mark Reeds was the embodiment of commitment to our game,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
“Mark devoted 35 years to 10 different stops in six different leagues and the NHL shares the sorrow of all who were touched by his selflessness and dedication.”
(with files from CP)
