Stephen Peat


Stephen Boyd Peat is a Canadian retired ice hockey right wing who played as an enforcer. He was drafted in the second round, 32nd overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Anaheim traded his rights to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a draft pick before the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
Peat played four seasons in the Western Hockey League before joining the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate, the Portland Pirates. Peat debuted in the National Hockey League with the Capitals in the 2001–02 season, scoring four points in 38 games. In four seasons, Peat appeared in 130 games with the Capitals and recorded 10 points.
On December 28, 2005, the Capitals traded Peat to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Colin Forbes.
On September 2, 2015, Peat pleaded guilty to arson by negligence related to a fire at his father's home occurring on March 17, 2015, following a domestic dispute. He was originally charged with arson with disregard for human life and arson causing property damage. Due to witness testimony and involvement, the fire was immediately declared an arson.

Health issues

In November 2017, Peat's father, Walter Peat, sought a no-contact order against his son. In a series of text messages published in the New York Times, Peat's father described him as a violent, homeless, addict who suffers from severe headaches. He believed this is all attributable to brain injuries his son received playing NHL:
However, Peat has disputed his father's accounts saying “I am disappointed in my father since I once held him so high on a pedestal.” Walter Peat reiterated his concerns in December 2017, saying that Stephen was living on the street, using drugs and possibly close to death.