Stephen Peat, a former NHL enforcer who played parts of four seasons with the Washington Capitals, has died from injuries sustained after being struck by a car more than two weeks ago, the NHL Alumni Association announced Thursday.
He was 44.
Peat was hit by a car at 4:15 a.m. on Aug. 30 in Langley, British Columbia, according to The Province.
4 Stephen Peat, a former enforcer for the Capitals, has died more than two weeks after he was struck by a car. Getty Images
“The NHL Alumni Association is heartbroken to learn that Stephen Peat has passed away from his injuries after a tragic accident just over two weeks ago,” the alumni association said in a statement.
Peat and his father Walter were worried about his mental health, believing he was impacted by concussions suffered playing hockey and potentially suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), as revealed in a June 2016 New York Times story.
They were concerned he could suffer an early death like other NHL enforcers like ex-Ranger Derek Boogaard.
4 The Capitals’ Stephen Peat (l.) fights the Bruins’ P.J. Stock (r.) on Oct. 30, 2002. Getty Images/NHLI
“I’m a right-handed fighter, right?” Peat told the Times. “And all the blows were to the left side of my head. That’s where all my pain is. So that’s my uneducated guess. What other blows have I taken?”
Within a year or two after last appearing in an NHL game in 2006, Peat began suffering from headaches. He was involved in bar and street fights and accused of theft, the Times reported.
“I can’t sleep on my right side,” said Peat, who had previously been in rehab. “If I do, it feels like someone who weighs 200 pounds is standing on my face, right here.”
4 The Capitals’ Stephen Peat (l.) and the Devils’ Rob Skriac (32) fight on Jan. 17, 2004. Anthony J Causi
In 2015, the Peat family home burned down after he left a blowtorch unattended in the garage.
He was sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to one count of “arson in relation to inhabited property” and a count of arson by negligence, per the Times.
In 2017, Walter told the Times his relationship with Stephen had “gone south” as his son’s health worsened, with Stephen getting arrested twice for parole violation.
Stephen was homeless and on drugs, and Walter requested a no-contact order from Peat’s probation officer.
“Confused, aggressive, and I will be honest, he scares the s–t out of me, and for that matter my brothers,” Walter told the Times after he had arranged for Stephen to stay with his brothers. “It saddens me to seem helpless as Stephen has accused me of interfering in his affairs. I have no idea how to tell this horror story, but I am sure there are many living this nightmare.”
4 Stephen Peat (51) handles the puck for the Capitals against the Oilers on Jan. 11, 2003. Getty Images
Originally a second-round pick by the Mighty Ducks in 1998, he appeared in 130 games for the Capitals from 2001-05.
Peat’s organs will be donated, the NHL Alumni Association said.