Senators' assistant coach dies after battling cancer

Apr 14, 2015 - 6:23 PM Ottawa, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Ottawa Senators assistant coach Mark Reeds died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 55 years old.

Reeds was in his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Senators after spending four years as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Owen Sound Attack. He also coached in the United Hockey League and the ECHL.

"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," said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk in a statement Tuesday. "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."

Reeds played in 385 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues and Hartford Whalers from 1981-89. He registered 45 goals and 114 assists for 159 points.