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Nashville Predators Lose Long-Time Coach and Parkinsons Advocate Brent Peterson
The Nashville Predators announced on Friday that former NHL player, coach and broadcaster Brent Peterson had died at age 68. The team’s official statement, released in the early afternoon, described Peterson as a “friend, co‑worker and forever Predators family member.”
Peterson’s playing days stretched across 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, beginning with the Detroit Red Wings in 1979. He later suited up for the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers, appearing in more than 620 NHL games. In that span he tallied 72 goals and 141 assists, a respectable output for a defensive‑forward known for his grit and leadership.
After hanging up his skates, Peterson transitioned to coaching. His first post‑player role came as an assistant with the Hartford Whalers under head coach Rick Ley. He then moved to the Western Hockey League, where he spent seven seasons at the helm of the Portland Winter Hawks. During that tenure the Hawks captured three division titles and lifted the Memorial Cup in 1998. When the Nashville Predators joined the NHL that same year, Peterson joined the organization as an assistant coach under Barry Trotz. He remained on the staff until 2011, stepping away for health reasons. Three years later, in 2014, he returned to the Predators as a radio broadcaster, a position he held until 2017.
In 2002, Peterson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Rather than retreat from public life, he became a vocal advocate for the condition. In 2009 he founded the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, a charitable organization that raises funds for research, support groups and community programs. The foundation has hosted annual celebrity golf tournaments and broadened its outreach to caregivers and families affected by the disease.
The Predators’ statement highlighted Peterson’s influence on the organization. “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 said. It added that Peterson’s legacy extended beyond the rink, touching the lives of fans and the broader Nashville community.
Peterson is survived by his wife Tami, son Brad and daughter Kristin. The organization expressed gratitude for the contributions he made over three decades and pledged to honor his memory.
His death comes at a time when the NHL and its teams continue to emphasize player health and post‑career support. Peterson’s work with the foundation exemplifies how former players can leverage their platform to address medical challenges that affect athletes and the public alike.
The Predators will continue to honor Peterson’s legacy through ongoing support of Parkinson’s research and community outreach. The organization has indicated that it will maintain the foundation’s annual events and will seek new partners to expand the program’s reach.
As the NHL season progresses, the Predators’ roster and coaching staff remain focused on performance while remembering the impact of former teammates and mentors like Peterson. The organization’s commitment to health advocacy and community engagement reflects the values he championed throughout his life.
For those interested in learning more about the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, the organization’s website provides information on upcoming events, donation options and resources for patients and families.
The Predators’ tribute to Peterson underscores the enduring influence that former players can have beyond their on‑ice achievements. His dedication to coaching, broadcasting and disease advocacy will be remembered by teammates, fans and the broader hockey community for years to come.
Peterson’s playing days stretched across 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, beginning with the Detroit Red Wings in 1979. He later suited up for the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers, appearing in more than 620 NHL games. In that span he tallied 72 goals and 141 assists, a respectable output for a defensive‑forward known for his grit and leadership.
After hanging up his skates, Peterson transitioned to coaching. His first post‑player role came as an assistant with the Hartford Whalers under head coach Rick Ley. He then moved to the Western Hockey League, where he spent seven seasons at the helm of the Portland Winter Hawks. During that tenure the Hawks captured three division titles and lifted the Memorial Cup in 1998. When the Nashville Predators joined the NHL that same year, Peterson joined the organization as an assistant coach under Barry Trotz. He remained on the staff until 2011, stepping away for health reasons. Three years later, in 2014, he returned to the Predators as a radio broadcaster, a position he held until 2017.
In 2002, Peterson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Rather than retreat from public life, he became a vocal advocate for the condition. In 2009 he founded the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, a charitable organization that raises funds for research, support groups and community programs. The foundation has hosted annual celebrity golf tournaments and broadened its outreach to caregivers and families affected by the disease.
The Predators’ statement highlighted Peterson’s influence on the organization. “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 said. It added that Peterson’s legacy extended beyond the rink, touching the lives of fans and the broader Nashville community.
Peterson is survived by his wife Tami, son Brad and daughter Kristin. The organization expressed gratitude for the contributions he made over three decades and pledged to honor his memory.
His death comes at a time when the NHL and its teams continue to emphasize player health and post‑career support. Peterson’s work with the foundation exemplifies how former players can leverage their platform to address medical challenges that affect athletes and the public alike.
The Predators will continue to honor Peterson’s legacy through ongoing support of Parkinson’s research and community outreach. The organization has indicated that it will maintain the foundation’s annual events and will seek new partners to expand the program’s reach.
As the NHL season progresses, the Predators’ roster and coaching staff remain focused on performance while remembering the impact of former teammates and mentors like Peterson. The organization’s commitment to health advocacy and community engagement reflects the values he championed throughout his life.
For those interested in learning more about the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s, the organization’s website provides information on upcoming events, donation options and resources for patients and families.
The Predators’ tribute to Peterson underscores the enduring influence that former players can have beyond their on‑ice achievements. His dedication to coaching, broadcasting and disease advocacy will be remembered by teammates, fans and the broader hockey community for years to come.
