Stephen Peat, a former NHL enforcer who played for the Washington Capitals, died on September 11, 2024, at 44. His death came two weeks after being struck by a vehicle in Langley, British Columbia, Canada on August 30.
Peat’s story is one of struggle and hardship following his retirement from professional hockey, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of repeated head injuries in contact sports.
Peat’s NHL career spanned from 2000 to 2005, during which he played 130 games for the Washington Capitals. Known primarily as an enforcer, Peat accumulated 234 penalty minutes, eight goals, and 10 points over his NHL career. He was initially drafted 32nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 1998 before being traded to the Capitals in 2000. The NHL Alumni Association stated in their announcement of Peat’s passing that Peat finished his pro career in the AHL following the 2006-07 season.
Following his retirement from professional hockey, Peat faced numerous challenges that he and his family believed were related to brain injuries sustained during his playing career. Within a couple of years after leaving the NHL, Peat began experiencing debilitating headaches that often forced him to retreat to dark, quiet rooms for extended periods. Despite consultations with doctors and undergoing various scans, the exact cause of these headaches remained undiagnosed.
Peat’s father, Walter Peat, expressed concern that his son might have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem, Peat exhibited many symptoms consistent with the condition.
In addition to severe headaches, Peat struggled with memory loss, depression, impulsiveness, and substance abuse issues. These challenges made it difficult for him to maintain steady employment and led to several legal troubles.
In 2015, Peat was charged with arson after accidentally setting fire to his father’s home in Langley, British Columbia. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of arson by negligence to avoid the publicity of a trial.
During a conversation with author Jeremy Allingham, who documented Peat’s challenges in his 2019 book, “Major Misconduct,” Peat expressed his desire to regain his health. The book delved into Peat’s life after hockey, highlighting his struggles with homelessness and couch-surfing. Peat frequently spent time in parks, trying to find relief from his ongoing headaches. Allingham’s book also examined the experiences of other players with similar health problems, indicating a wider issue within the sport.
Peat’s situation deteriorated further in the years following his retirement. By 2017, he was homeless, struggling with drug use, and had been arrested for parole violations. His relationship with his father had become strained to the point where Walter Peat requested a no-contact order from his son’s probation officer, stating that Stephen was “confused, aggressive, and I will be honest, he scares the (expletive) out of me.”
Despite his struggles, Peat sought various treatments to alleviate his symptoms. He explored natural remedies and diets, and found temporary relief through saunas, hot tubs, massages, and acupuncture. However, the cost of these treatments often proved prohibitive, given his financial circumstances.
The NHL’s substance abuse and behavioral health program attempted to assist Peat, but his father believed that addressing the root cause of his son’s pain – the suspected brain injury – was crucial. Walter Peat expressed frustration with the NHL and the broader hockey community, feeling that his son had been discarded after his playing days were over.
In his last days, Stephen Peat chose to become an organ donor. The NHL Alumni Association remarked on how this choice will result in saving numerous lives. They added that the meaningful gesture marks a fitting conclusion to the life of a man who, despite his personal challenges, aimed to make a positive difference.
Peat’s passing and the circumstances surrounding it have reignited discussions about player safety in hockey, particularly concerning the long-term effects of repeated head trauma.