Ex-Capitals forward Stephen Peat dies at 44 after accident

Former Washington Capitals forward Stephen Peat died from injuries he sustained in a recent accident, the NHL Alumni Association announced on Thursday.

According to reports, Peat, 44, was a pedestrian when he struck by a car on Aug. 30. in Langley, British Columbia, a town about 30 miles southeast of Vancouver.

The province said Langley police issued a news release about a pedestrian being struck at 4:15 a.m. on Aug. 30 but didn't identify Peat as the person injured.

Howie Zaron, a longtime friend of Peat, told the province it was Peat who was struck by the car.

Peat played in 130 games over parts of four NHL seasons with the Capitals. He had eight goals and two assists while his prime responsibility was to be an enforcer (234 penalty minutes).

Peat was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in December 2005 but never played for the team due to injuries. He retired in 2007.

In his post-hockey life, Peat battled concussion and addiction issues and was homeless for extended periods in B.C.