WHL mourns passing of Winterhawks all-time great Brent Peterson
Calgary, Alta. – The WHL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of WHL and Memorial Cup Champion Brent Peterson, former coach and player for the Portland Winterhawks.
Peterson passed away following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2002 and went on to found the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s.
The Nashville Predators announced Peterson’s passing Friday afternoon. He was 68 years old.
“It is with very heavy hearts that we announce today the passing of our friend, co-worker and our forever Nashville Predators family member, Brent Peterson,” read a statement from the Nashville Predators. “True to Brent’s nature, he thought of others before himself up until his passing this morning. 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 him that day.
“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.
“He will always hold a special place in the hearts of our Predators family and all who knew him across hockey and beyond.”
Hailing from Calgary, Alta., Peterson broke into the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings during the 1974-75 season, recording 43 points (17G-26A) in 66 games. The right winger went on to become one of the great WHL players of his era. Following a second season with the Oil Kings, he stayed with the Club as it relocated to Portland and tallied a career high 112 points (34G-78A) in 69 games during the 1976-77 season. Peterson was the first captain in the Portland history of the franchise.
“Brent’s always-positive personality brought joy, smiles, and laughter to everyone he interacted with,” read a statement from the Portland Winterhawks. “He loved his family, was passionate about hockey, and deeply cared for everyone.”
Adding another 83 points (33G-50A) in 51 games during the 1977-78 campaign, Peterson set himself up to be selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round (12th overall) of the 1978 NHL Draft.
Peterson made the immediate jump to pro hockey and went on to play 620 career NHL games, splitting time with the Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers. He was revered for his defensive responsibility.
Following the 1988-89 season, Peterson retired from the NHL. He jumped straight into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Whalers during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons.
In 1991, Peterson returned to the Winterhawks as Associate Coach. He filled that role for two seasons before taking the reins as Head Coach ahead of the 1993-94 season. Peterson spent five campaigns guiding the Winterhawks, culminating in a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup title in 1998. During the 1996-97 season, Peterson was named WHL Coach of the Year after leading the Winterhawks to a record of 46-21-5.
Peterson’s success behind the Winterhawks bench led him back to the NHL, where he joined the Nashville Predators as an assistant coach for the franchise’s inaugural season in 1998-99. He spent six campaigns as an assistant coach before being promoted to Associate Coach in 2003-04. Peterson logged seven more seasons as Associate Coach in Nashville before stepping away from the bench following the 2010-11 season.
Widely regarded as a beloved member of the Predators family, Peterson established the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2009, alongside his wife, Tami. The foundation endeavours to support and enhance the lives of people with Parkinson’s, their care partners and families to achieve their highest possible quality of life through awareness, education, and programs within a caring community.
On February 3, 2012, Peterson was inducted into the Portland Winterhawks Hall of Fame. During the Winterhawks 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025-26, Peterson was named to the Top 50 Winterhawks of All-Time, landing 17th on a list that featured the likes of Ken Yaremchuk, Cam Neely, Ty Rattie, Adam Deadmarsh, Perry Turnbull, and more.
On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Brent’s wife, Tami, along with his son Brad, daughter Kristin, extended family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew Brent.
