Former Washington Capitals enforcer Stephen Peat was killed by an oncoming car when he was crossing the street, authorities in British Columbia have revealed.
The Canadian citizen died from injuries sustained last month when he was crossing a street in Langley, a town between Vancouver and the US border. Without identifying Peat at the time of the August 30 accident, Langley police said a 44-year-old pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries when he was struck while crossing a road at about 4:15 a.m.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Peat had eight goals, two assists and 234 penalty minutes in 130 NHL games. He was drafted 32nd overall by Anaheim in 1998, then traded to Washington in June 2000 after finishing his junior career.
In 2004-05, he played seven games for the notorious Danbury Trashers in the United Hockey League, assisting on a goal and piling up 45 penalty minutes. He last played professional hockey in the 2006-07 season, appearing in one game for Albany in the American Hockey League.
The Capitals paid tribute to Peat with a statement on social media.
Ex-Capitals enforcer Stephen Peat was killed by an oncoming car as he was crossing the street
Capitals’ Stephen Peat, facing camera, punches the Penguins’ Krzysztof Oliwa in 2001
‘The Washington Capitals extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Capitals player Stephen Peat,’ the team said. ‘Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.’
NHL Alumni, meanwhile, revealed that ‘in the wake of this tragic accident, Stephen will be helping to save numerous lives through organ donation.’
Late last month, NHL veteran Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matt were killed on the eve of their sister’s wedding when they were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene, around 35 miles south of Philadelphia. Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matt, 29, were set to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding.
Sean Higgins, 43, the alleged drunk driver accused of killing the siblings, was charged with two counts of death by auto after careening into them as they cycled along a highway in Salem County.
Family members and NHL fans gathered to remember the brothers at their funeral Monday afternoon.
Mourners packed into St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Media, Pennsylvania for the service, which took place less than two weeks after the fatal accident.
