Former Boston Bruins forward Rich Peverley presents at NHL Awards.

Feb 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center

(17) skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Rich Peverley was a reliable member of the Boston Bruins for seasons. Peverley and fellow ex-Bruin Shawn Thornton were the players that led the charge in game three of the Stanley Cup Final back in 2011. He was made part of the blockbuster Tyler Seguin – Loui Ericsson trade with the Dallas Stars last July. A lot of Bruins fans were sadder to see the dedicated professional Peverley go over the talented wunderkind Seguin.

Peverley got to talk about his transition from the Boston Bruins to the Dallas Stars with NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes. The subject quickly transitioned to Peverley’s ‘cardiac event’. The Stars forward explained how every team of trainers have protocols for just about every contingency, and how thankful he was that the event occurred where and when it did. He praised the medical staff and trainers for knowing what to do and when to do it.

When Rich Peverley walked onto the stage in last night’s NHL Awards in Las Vegas, his former ‘brother Bruins’ stood up and cheered for him. Then everyone else in the auditorium followed suit. While Peverley might not have been thrilled with the reason why he got the standing ovation, he certainly earned it. It made sense that he was a presenter of the Masterson Trophy this year. If you didn’t see the crowd supporting Pevs last night, here’s your chance to watch it happen. Peverley was nominated as the Masterson trophy candidate for the Dallas Stars, but the award ended up going to New York Rangers forward Dominic Moore.

The long term prognosis for Peverley is excellent. Whether or not that will translate in his ability to resume a professional hockey career is not as evident. If he is able to return to the ice next season, it shouldn’t surprise any of us if he takes home the Masterson Trophy at next year’s awards.