Former Bruin Rich Peverley Out for Remainder of Season.

Jan 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center

(17) skates against the Minnesota Wild during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Wild 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Today it was announced that former Bruin Rich Peverley will be out for the remainder of the 2013-14 NHL season. Peverley collapsed on the bench in the middle of a Dallas Stars – Columbus Blue Jackets on March 10th. Peverley was traded to the Dallas Stars on July 4th, 2013 as part as blockbuster trade that sent him and Tyler Seguin to Dallas in return for Loui Eriksson and Reilly Smith.

When Peverley went down it initially looked like he had fainted, but it turned out that his heart’s irregular rhythm had somehow stopped. The quick thinking of the trainers for the Stars and several doctors made the difference in what could have been a profound tragedy for the Peverley family, the Dallas Stars, and the National Hockey League.

Rich Peverley read a short statement to the media thanking the trainers and the staff of the hospital. “They all attended to me once I passed out and they saved my life and I will forever be grateful,” offered Peverley. As soon as Peverley read the statement, he left the press conference. If you haven’t watched the press conference, you can do so through this link.

The doctors went on to confirm that due to his heart conditon that the Stars center’s season was over. The doctors then discussed that Peverley would have a corrective procedure done on his heart sometime in the off season. That procedure will take place at Cleveland Clinic. The doctors chose not to speculate on Peverley’s chances to return to hockey after the procedure had occured.

Peverley (a.k.a. Pevs, or Raptor Jesus of you were a fan from his days in Atlanta) was diagnosed with an irregular heart during the Stars’ training camp. Peverley had undergone a cardiac procedure that caused him to miss the Stars’ preseason and the opening night for Dallas. His first game in a Dallas uniform was October 5th. Currently, Peverley is fourth on the team for points with thirty (seven goals).

Peverley earned a place in Bruins history for being the player that had to take over for Nathan Horton after he was blindsided by Aaron Rome in game three of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. He ended up getting the Bruins two goals in game four and an assist in game six. He was one of the under the radar players that got the Bruins the Stanley Cup.