Brent “Petey” Peterson, a longtime Nashville Predators assistant coach and later a team broadcaster who helped raise millions for Parkinson’s research, died Friday at age 68. His legacy in both hockey and community advocacy leaves a profound impact.
Brent Peterson’s Journey and Legacy
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002, Peterson stepped down from the Predators bench in 2011 after serving on the staff since the franchise’s first season in 1998. He then devoted his energy to advocacy and fundraising in the years that followed. His diagnosis did not deter him; rather, it fueled his passion for helping others facing similar challenges.
In 2009, Peterson and his wife, Tami, launched the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s to support people living with the disease, their families, and care partners through awareness, education, and community programs. The foundation’s hallmark events — Petey’s Preds Party and the Brent Peterson Golf Classic — became annual fixtures that brought together Predators players, coaches, staff, fans, and the wider Nashville community, generating millions of dollars for the cause. This year’s celebration was held Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena and was streamed to Peterson in the hospital. The golf tournament was scheduled for Monday.
Born Feb. 15, 1958, in Calgary, Peterson starred in junior hockey with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winter Hawks before being drafted in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings in 1978. He played 12 NHL seasons with Detroit, the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and Hartford Whalers, showcasing his skills and dedication to the sport.
After retiring in 1989, he joined the Whalers’ coaching staff, then returned to Portland and led the Winter Hawks to a WHL championship in 1998. Barry Trotz subsequently brought him to Nashville for the Predators’ inaugural coaching staff, where Peterson spent 12 seasons as an assistant and later an associate coach, significantly shaping the team’s identity.
Following his departure from coaching, he remained active with his foundation and moved into broadcasting as a radio analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Pete Weber. His enthusiastic reaction to Mike Fisher’s triple-overtime winner against San Jose in the 2016 playoffs became one of the most memorable moments in Predators broadcast history. Even after stepping away from the booth, he was a regular presence at home games, beloved by fans and players alike.
Peterson is survived by his wife, Tami, and their children, Brad and Kristin. His influence on the Predators organization, the Nashville community, and Parkinson’s advocacy continues through the work he championed, ensuring that his legacy lives on.