Former Maple Leafs player Jason Spezza 'heartbroken' over younger brother's death
Jason and Matthew Spezza can be seen above on a trip to New York City. (spez45/Instagram)
A former player with the Toronto Maple Leafs has spoken out following the death of his younger brother.
In a statement issued Monday, Jason Spezza, 40, said that his younger brother, Matthew Spezza, 37, suffered a fatal overdose over the weekend.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“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,” the former NHL centre said in the statement, shared by the Pittsburgh Penguins where he is now the assistant general manager.
“My family and I are heartbroken and ask for privacy during this difficult time,” it reads.
Matthew, a resident of Mississauga, was a hockey player himself, goaltending in both the OHL and IHL in the 2000s. His last season was with the Flint Generals in 2008/2009.
What appears to be Matthew’s Instagram account features several photographs of him and Jason. One shows the two on an NHL -sponsored 'mentor' trip to New York City, according to the caption.
Another features Jason holding a trophy during the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, with the caption, "Proud of you, bro."
Before joining the Penguins as the assistant general manager, Jason held a position in the Maple Leafs' front office. At that time, he had spent 19 years in the NHL, predominantly as a centreman, with Ottawa, Dallas, and Toronto.
Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza wears eye black during practice for the Heritage Classic NHL hockey game at B.C. Place stadium in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, March 1, 2014. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post
Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.'
Trudeau will have to 'kiss the ring' to achieve smoother bilateral relations with Trump: John Bolton
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to get on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's good side for the sake of a smooth bilateral relationship, he'll likely have to be openly deferential, says former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton.
MAID cases rose to 15,000 in 2023, but growth of cases halved
More than 15,000 people received medical assistance in dying in Canada in 2023, but federal statistics show the growth in cases has slowed significantly.
Luxury real estate brokers charged in federal indictment with sex trafficking in NYC
Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with luring, drugging and violently raping dozens of women over more than a decade.
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of 'man-made holes and tunnels' during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
Certain foods may disrupt your body's fight against cancer cells, study says
The food you eat may be affecting your body’s ability to fight cancer cells in the colon, according to a new study.
Banks lower prime rates following Bank of Canada move
Canadian financial institutions are lowering their prime lending rates to match the decrease announced by the Bank of Canada.
Toronto agency launches court challenge against new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites
A social agency that runs a supervised consumption service (SCS) in Toronto’s Kensington Market has launched a court challenge against new legislation that will see 10 such sites shuttered across the province, arguing that the law violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Montreal
-
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller facing new sex charges
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller is facing new criminal charges as he waits to go on trial on several sex offences.
-
Quebec hockey referees speak out about being subjected to violence on the ice
Hockey can be a violent sport but it’s not only the players receiving the blows. In a three-part report, Noovo Info uncovered stories of referees who have been badly injured on the ice, with some suffering scarring, head trauma and PTSD.
-
Montreal plans to turn Molson Brewery site into residential neighbourhood
The old industrial Molson Brewery site downtown Montreal will be transformed into a residential neighbourhood with a public park and some 5,000 housing units.
Ottawa
-
Council approves 3.9% tax hike in 2025 City of Ottawa budget, hikes senior monthly fares $9
City council has voted to approve the 2025 City of Ottawa budget that will include scaled back fares hikes for seniors and retain youth discount passes while raising taxes across the board for most homeowners.
-
Driver receives $10K in fines for speeding 134 km/h over speed limit on Highway 174 in Ottawa, police say
An Ottawa driver faces $10,000 in fines and is banned from driving for two years after being observed going 134 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 174.
-
Canada Post workers rally at headquarters as strike enters fourth week
Canada Post workers are continuing their fight for a deal as their strike stretches into its fourth week.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury police make big drug bust at apartment connected to assault suspect
As Sudbury police continue to investigate Tuesday's assault on Elm Street, a search of the apartment where some of the suspects were found uncovered $135,000 in drugs.
-
Ontario man charged with sex trafficking underage girls from Sudbury, Kingston
Two young girls, from Sudbury and Kingston, Ont., were rescued from sex trafficking in the GTA and their suspected abuser has been charged, but police fear there may be more victims.
-
Sudbury family celebrates liberation of their home country of Syria
A Syrian family living in Sudbury, Ont., is celebrating a significant political shift in their home country after rebels took over the government.
Kitchener
-
Another blast of winter weather coming our way
After a few days of warmer weather, winter is making its return.
-
140-pound dog strolls solo into Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont.
A furry, four-legged shopper was spotted in the aisles of a Giant Tiger store in Stratford, Ont. on Sunday morning.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
London
-
Blizzard, snow squall warnings in effect, as much as 80cm possible in some areas
More snow is expected to roll through the region this afternoon, and it’s coming out swinging.
-
Accused in bush bash shooting testifies claiming he feared for his life
Testifying in his own defence, Carlos Guerra Guerra said he showed up to the bush party for young people in a field off of Pack Road in southwest London in July of 2021 after his friend Emily Altmann called him for help.
-
Man assaults and disarms police in Hyde Park bank: London police
Police responded to the business, and upon their arrival the man was asked to leave. He then threw an object in the direction of two police officers.
Windsor
-
Kingsville man dies after crash on Manning Road
Essex County OPP say Manning Road is closed after a crash involving a dump truck.
-
Ont. woman whose father died in impaired driving collision warns others not to make same mistake
An Ontario woman whose father died in an impaired driving collision when she was a baby is urging people to think twice before getting behind the wheel while impaired, saying the decision can affect multiple generations.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Barrie
-
Blizzard and snow squall warnings issued with hazardous travel expected
Prepare for some wicked weather expected to hit the region on Wednesday, with heavy snowfall up to 80 centimetres possible and gusty winds creating dicey travel conditions.
-
Driver speeding 155km/h in posted 80 zone in dense fog charged: OPP
A motorist accused of speeding 75 kilometres per hour over the posted limit in the Town of Mono through dense fog will have to explain their actions in court.
-
Canadian Forces Snowbirds set to soar over Barrie: Here's when
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds aviation demonstration team will take to the Barrie skies, once again.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeggers face 5.95 per cent property tax increase in budget
Winnipeggers will be paying more property taxes than expected next year.
-
'We're not used to it this year': Extreme cold impacting Winnipeggers
The extreme cold has settled over much of Manitoba and the bone chilling temperatures are impacting people across the province, including in Winnipeg.
-
Woman, 72, dies following crash on Highway 41: RCMP
A 72-year-old woman is dead following a crash on an icy Manitoba highway Tuesday morning.
Atlantic
-
Officer receives suspension after two Mi'kmaq elver fishers left without boots
A federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night and releasing them in only their socked feet.
-
Truro man wanted on provincewide warrant: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP is searching for a man from Truro, N.S., who is wanted on a provincewide warrant.
-
Maritime weather: Rainy, windy weather moves through region
More rain and wind are ahead for the Maritimes Wednesday through Thursday, with weather warnings in effect for parts of the region.
N.L.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
-
North anxious over dwindling necessities, no Christmas gifts, due to postal strike
Communities in Northern Canada say the postal strike is starting to choke off the supply and children in remote regions may not receive Christmas gifts this year.
Edmonton
-
Accused in killing of apartment security guard have extensive criminal histories
A man and a woman charged in the killing of a security guard in Edmonton will spend Christmas and New Year's behind bars.
-
Struggling in your search for a sandbox in Edmonton? You're not alone
Some Edmontonians are finding the recent weather difficult to navigate without the help of city-supplied traction materials.
-
Alberta UCP backbenchers support loosening ethics rules
Alberta's Opposition NDP says the province would become the most corrupt and secretive government in Canada if potential ethics rule changes become law.
Calgary
-
'Scared and confused': 9-year-old Calgary girl recalls terrifying experience being stuck in stolen vehicle
A Calgary girl who was sitting in her dad's vehicle when it was stolen on Monday night is speaking out about the horrifying experience, along with her father.
-
Woman found badly injured along Nose Creek Pathway dies in hospital
A woman who was on life support after she was found badly injured in Calgary's northeast has died.
-
Lethbridge post-secondary schools trying to help students manage exam stress
Southern Alberta students are busy cramming for the final stretch of the exam season --and with all that extra work comes stress.
Regina
-
'A reasonable compromise': Council forgives Riders of over $1 million in unpaid rent
Regina City Council forgave the Saskatchewan Roughriders of more than $1 million in unpaid rent payments at their meeting Wednesday.
-
Extreme cold warnings issued for Regina, Saskatoon and much of eastern Sask.
Extreme cold warnings are now in effect as Saskatchewan enters a cold snap, which is expected to last until the end of the week.
-
Sask. hockey coach convicted of historic sex crime back on day parole after 'behavioural concerns'
A former WHL coach found guilty last year of sexually assaulting a teen boy is back on day parole.
Saskatoon
-
Cold weather in Saskatchewan spurs furnace breakdowns, carbon monoxide concerns
The return of bitterly cold temperatures has first responders and HVAC technicians on stand-by, ready to respond to emergencies.
-
'Whatever anybody can donate': Sask. man uses school bus to help people stay warm
A Saskatchewan man who turned a school bus into a warmup shelter says his nonprofit desperately needs donations.
-
University of Saskatchewan's historic building slated for demolition
There is a building on the University of Saskatchewan campus that has been an eyesore for a few years, and now the historic building is slated for demolition. However, historians want campus officials to rethink the plan to get rid of it.
Vancouver
-
'He's building community': Video of joyful Surrey school crossing guard goes viral
A video showcasing a well-liked Surrey school crossing guard has been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media.
-
Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island
Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device.
-
B.C. hunter used vehicle's headlights to shoot moose at night, conservation officers say
A man from northern B.C. has been given a $3,000 penalty after he was caught hunting moose at night.
Vancouver Island
-
Distress call leads to discovery of camper's body on Vancouver Island
Mounties say a 42-year-old man who was camping on Vancouver Island has been found dead after rescuers were alerted to a distress signal from his satellite communication device.
-
No Santa, no Rudolph: B.C. mother questions lyric changes for son's school concert
A Saanich, B.C., mom is questioning why her son came home from school with the words “Santa,” “Rudolph” and “Christmas” crossed out on a lyric sheet for his winter concert.
-
Commercial truck driver fired, facing charges after parked cars struck in Metro Vancouver
A commercial truck driver has been fired and is facing potential impaired driving charges after police say his tractor-trailer collided with four parked cars in Port Coquitlam, B.C.
