Brent Peterson dies at the age of 68 on September 11, 2026 (Image via X/@kenwardskorner) Former Nashville Predators assistant coach Brent Peterson has died at the age of 58, after battling a prolonged illness. His death has brought an end to the life of one of the most influential figures in the franchise’s early history. The Predators announced Brent Peterson’s death on Friday, September 11. The coach and employee of the Predators was suffering from Parkinson’s disease, which led to his death. He was diagnosed of Parkison’s disease in 2002 and then founded the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2009. Peterson has been a part of the Nashville organization since its inaugural season in 1998, and was associated through out his coaching career.
Former assistant coach Brent Peterson dies at the age of 68 after battling Parkinson’s disease
Former assistant coach of Nashville Predators Brent Peterson dies at the age of 68 after battling Parkinson’s disease. The club has confirmed the passing away of the coach and took to their social media account to announce about the sad demise of Peterson. The club stated, We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Brent Peterson. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and all those who knew Petey.”Brent loved a good laugh and lived with Parkinson’s for 23 years, facing every day with a smile and a joke, no matter what his battle brought to him that day,” the Predators said in a statement.Brent Peterson joined the Predators after guiding the Portland Winterhawks to the 1998 Memorial Cup championship. He also became an associate coach under Barry Trotz and remained with the Nashville coaching staff till 2011.He was also a player who was selected 12th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1978 NHL draft and went on to play for the Detroit Red Wings, the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and the Hartford Whalers. He finished his playing career with 213 points in 620 regular-season games.According too Heavy, Peterson played for Detroit from 1978 to 1981 under legendary head coach Scotty Bowman before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He was with the Sabres from 1982 to 1985 and then made two more stops in his playing career. The final teams he played was for the Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers, each for two seasons before becoming a coach.However, Peterson’s impact extended well beyond hockey. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the early 2000s and, together with his wife, the couple established the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s to support people living with the disease and raise awareness. The foundation worked towards developing support groups and programs focused on strength, balance, coordination and community support for people affected by the disease.Peterson leaves behind a legacy that stretches from his NHL playing days to his Memorial Cup success to his decades of coaching service with the Predators and his work helping others affected by Parkinson’s disease.