Detroit Red Wings 1978 first-round pick Brent Peterson (12th overall) was a role player in his 620-game NHL career and then became a star in the hockey community because of the fight and advocacy he brought to a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease,
His 23-year battle with disease ended Friday when he died in the Nashville area. He was an assistant coach for the Predators in 2002 when he was diagnosed
“Brent loved a good laugh and lived with the disease for 23 years, facing every day with a smile and a joke,” The Predators said in a prepared statement. “No matter what his battle brought to him that day.”
Go Ad-Free
He and his wife, Tami, launched the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2009.
Peterson brought an awareness about the disease in the hockey community that wasn’t there before he went public with his battle. He revealed the diagnosis and then coached in Nashville until 2011.
In the midst of his fight with the disease, Peterson and his wife, Tami, launched the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2009. The foundation offered financial support for people suffering from the disease, plus their caregivers and families.
Brent was a special person who meant so much to so many. His kindness, character and genuine care he showed for others left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Peterson played two season for the Canucks (1985-87). Their statement: “Brent was a special person who meant so much to so many.
His kindness, character and genuine care he showed for others left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him.”
The Alberta native played parts of four seasons with Detroit (1978-79 until 1981-82). His best season with Detroit was 1980-81 when he showed six goals and 18 assists for 24 points.
Older Detroit fans may remember Peterson was included in the blockbuster trade that brought Danny Gare to Detroit on Dec. 2, 1981.
The Red Wings gave up three younger players, including proven scorers Dale McCourt and Mike Foligno, and Peterson to the Buffalo Sabres for Gare, defenseman Jim Schoenfeld and forward Derek Smith
His best two seasons were with the Sabres. He put up 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points in 1982-83.
He had totaled 72 goals in his career.
After four years in Buffalo, he went to Vancouver and finished his career with the Hartford Whalers (1987-88 and 1988-89). He was known primarily as a strong penalty killer and defensive forward.
