In Memory Of
Peter Maxwell Mcnab
1952
2022
Peter Maxwell Mcnab
May 8, 1952 — November 6, 2022
Peter Maxwell McNab
May 8th, 1952 – November 6th, 2022
Born into a prominent hockey family in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1952, Peter spent his formative years playing hockey in and around New Westminster, BC under the tutelage of his father, Max McNab, former Detroit Red Wing Stanley Cup Winner and Hockey Executive. He showed promise for the sport early and when the family was set to move to San Diego, CA in Peter's freshman year of high school. Peter turned down an offer from family members to stay back in Vancouver so he would have access to more ice time. He never regretted this decision as his high school years at Point Loma High School and on Ocean Beach were some of his best memories. Throughout his life he would always return to that beach with his life partner, Diana, as his place of zen and peace.
Despite San Diego's lack of ice arenas, Peter continued to excel on the ice as well as other sports. Peter was offered a baseball scholarship to the University of Denver but the ice soon called to him and he switched from baseball to hockey, becoming an all WCHA selection in 1973. At the end of his junior year, Peter was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres. While with the Cincinnati Swords of the American Hockey League, Peter led in scoring despite only playing 49 of 76 games. Peter was brought up from the minors to his first NHL game later that season and helped the Sabres reach the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. Of the 14 years Peter played with the NHL, he enjoyed his best years with the Boston Bruins scoring at least 35 goals and 75 points in 6 consecutive seasons. The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1977 and 1978. Peter played in the 1977 All Star Game. Peter is still in the Bruins top ten career leaders in goals, points, and playoff scoring. Peter played for the USA National Team at the 1986 World Championships in Moscow. Peter went on to play for the Vancouver Canucks and The New Jersey Devils retiring from hockey at the end of the 1986/87 season. Peter ended his playing career with 954 NHL regular season games scoring 363 goals, 450 assists for 813 points.
After retiring from playing, Peter began his broadcasting career as a TV Color Analyst for the NJ Devils. Peter always felt so fortunate to have started his broadcasting career with two hockey broadcasting greats Gary Thorne and Mike Emerick. After 8 seasons broadcasting for the NJ Devils, Peter moved to Colorado for the inaugural season of the Colorado Avalanche. Along with broadcasting the Avalanches games, Peter also broadcast games nationally for NBC and 3 Olympic Winter Games (Nagano, Japan; Turin, Italy; Salt Lake City, Utah) for TNT. In 2021, Peter was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame being honored for his lifetime contributions to hockey as both an outstanding player and broadcaster.
While working for the Avalanche in the 1990's Peter became very involved with charities beginning with Children's Hospital. Over the years the list of organizations grew that he chose to spend his time with trying to make a difference. He would be with cancer patients, burn victims, wounded veterans. His great gift to these people was his ability to see them as whole, not disabled. This in turn made them feel whole as well.
Peter had an undeniable connection to people. He was a global friend, always ready to listen, mentor, teach or lend a shoulder to lean on. To know Peter was to share a beautiful joy. His infectious laugh; his quick, humorous retorts; his exuberant love of the game that filled conversations were all a part of the love of being with him. He was never about Peter, he was about you and your life. A big man with a giant heart who found solace behind the scenes insisting the light shine on everyone around him... such was his empathy for others. Those who knew him reveled in his good will, shared stories of the game and couldn't wait for the next chance to share time with him. All who knew Peter will forever hear his voice surrounding the game and cherish the good fortune of sharing in that voice as part of our lives. The game of hockey was lucky to have had him and so were we.
Peter passed away on November 6, 2022. He was surrounded by his family and so much love. Peter McNab is survived by his life partner, Diana Featherstone; by his children Shanon, Robyn, Caileigh, Jessica and Ashlyn; by his four grandchildren Levon, Harry, Rowan and Neve; by his brothers David and Michael; sister-in-law, Kari and nieces Ali and Erica.
There will be a private Celebration of Life with family in San Diego, CA in December of 2022.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation
Jacqueline Lindley
jlindley@childrenscoloradofoundation.org
May 8th, 1952 – November 6th, 2022
Born into a prominent hockey family in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1952, Peter spent his formative years playing hockey in and around New Westminster, BC under the tutelage of his father, Max McNab, former Detroit Red Wing Stanley Cup Winner and Hockey Executive. He showed promise for the sport early and when the family was set to move to San Diego, CA in Peter's freshman year of high school. Peter turned down an offer from family members to stay back in Vancouver so he would have access to more ice time. He never regretted this decision as his high school years at Point Loma High School and on Ocean Beach were some of his best memories. Throughout his life he would always return to that beach with his life partner, Diana, as his place of zen and peace.
Despite San Diego's lack of ice arenas, Peter continued to excel on the ice as well as other sports. Peter was offered a baseball scholarship to the University of Denver but the ice soon called to him and he switched from baseball to hockey, becoming an all WCHA selection in 1973. At the end of his junior year, Peter was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres. While with the Cincinnati Swords of the American Hockey League, Peter led in scoring despite only playing 49 of 76 games. Peter was brought up from the minors to his first NHL game later that season and helped the Sabres reach the 1975 Stanley Cup Finals. Of the 14 years Peter played with the NHL, he enjoyed his best years with the Boston Bruins scoring at least 35 goals and 75 points in 6 consecutive seasons. The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1977 and 1978. Peter played in the 1977 All Star Game. Peter is still in the Bruins top ten career leaders in goals, points, and playoff scoring. Peter played for the USA National Team at the 1986 World Championships in Moscow. Peter went on to play for the Vancouver Canucks and The New Jersey Devils retiring from hockey at the end of the 1986/87 season. Peter ended his playing career with 954 NHL regular season games scoring 363 goals, 450 assists for 813 points.
After retiring from playing, Peter began his broadcasting career as a TV Color Analyst for the NJ Devils. Peter always felt so fortunate to have started his broadcasting career with two hockey broadcasting greats Gary Thorne and Mike Emerick. After 8 seasons broadcasting for the NJ Devils, Peter moved to Colorado for the inaugural season of the Colorado Avalanche. Along with broadcasting the Avalanches games, Peter also broadcast games nationally for NBC and 3 Olympic Winter Games (Nagano, Japan; Turin, Italy; Salt Lake City, Utah) for TNT. In 2021, Peter was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame being honored for his lifetime contributions to hockey as both an outstanding player and broadcaster.
While working for the Avalanche in the 1990's Peter became very involved with charities beginning with Children's Hospital. Over the years the list of organizations grew that he chose to spend his time with trying to make a difference. He would be with cancer patients, burn victims, wounded veterans. His great gift to these people was his ability to see them as whole, not disabled. This in turn made them feel whole as well.
Peter had an undeniable connection to people. He was a global friend, always ready to listen, mentor, teach or lend a shoulder to lean on. To know Peter was to share a beautiful joy. His infectious laugh; his quick, humorous retorts; his exuberant love of the game that filled conversations were all a part of the love of being with him. He was never about Peter, he was about you and your life. A big man with a giant heart who found solace behind the scenes insisting the light shine on everyone around him... such was his empathy for others. Those who knew him reveled in his good will, shared stories of the game and couldn't wait for the next chance to share time with him. All who knew Peter will forever hear his voice surrounding the game and cherish the good fortune of sharing in that voice as part of our lives. The game of hockey was lucky to have had him and so were we.
Peter passed away on November 6, 2022. He was surrounded by his family and so much love. Peter McNab is survived by his life partner, Diana Featherstone; by his children Shanon, Robyn, Caileigh, Jessica and Ashlyn; by his four grandchildren Levon, Harry, Rowan and Neve; by his brothers David and Michael; sister-in-law, Kari and nieces Ali and Erica.
There will be a private Celebration of Life with family in San Diego, CA in December of 2022.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation
Jacqueline Lindley
jlindley@childrenscoloradofoundation.org
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