Former Capitals enforcer Stephen Peat dead at 44

Washington Capitals mourn the loss of a former enforcer

Stephen Peat, who played for the Washington Capitals from 2004 to 2008, died suddenly on Sunday at the age of 44. The cause of death has not been released.

Peat was a fan favorite during his time in Washington, known for his physical play and willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was also a member of the Capitals' 2008 Stanley Cup runner-up team.

After his playing career ended, Peat worked as a scout for the Capitals and as a player development coach for the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate.

The Capitals released a statement on Sunday expressing their condolences to Peat's family and friends.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Stephen Peat," the statement read. "He was a valued member of our team and a great friend to many in the Capitals organization. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Peat's death is a reminder of the dangers of hockey, even after a player's career has ended. In recent years, there have been a number of former NHL players who have died suddenly, including Wade Belak, Derek Boogaard, and Rick Rypien.

These deaths have raised concerns about the long-term effects of head injuries in hockey, and the NHL has taken steps to try to reduce the number of concussions.

However, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect players from the dangers of the game.