One of the most beloved hockey ambassadors in Nashville has passed away.
Broadcaster, former NHL player and longtime coach Brent Peterson has died at age 68, the Nashville Predators announced on Friday.
"It is with very heavy hearts that we announce today the passing of our friend, our co-worker and our forever Nashville Predators family member, Brent Peterson," the team said.
Peterson, who spent 11 seasons in the NHL as a player before getting into coaching with the Hartford Whalers, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002 and has been vocal in his support and charitable actions in the fight against the disease. He created the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson's in 2009.
"In addition to serving as a beacon to so many involved in the fight against Parkinson's, Brent served as an inspiration to hundreds of Predators players, coaches, and staff members for nearly 30 years," the team added.
A native of Calgary, Peterson's on-ice career began with the Detroit Red Wings in 1979. Over his 11 years in the league, he tallied 72 goals and 141 assists in 620 games, split between the Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Whalers.
After hanging up his skates, Peterson moved to Hartford's bench as an assistant under head coach Rick Ley. Following that, he joined the Portland Winter Hawks in the WHL and spent seven seasons with the junior team, winning three division titles and a Memorial Cup in 1998.
When Nashville joined the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1998, Peterson signed on as an assistant for Barry Trotz and remained on the team's bench until 2011. He moved to the broadcast booth in 2014 as a radio broadcaster and stepped down in 2017.
He is survived by his wife Tami, son Brad and daughter Kristin.
"He will always hold a special place in the hearts of our Predators family and all who knew him across hockey and beyond," the team said.
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