PEVERLEY MAKES RETIREMENT OFFICIAL, JOINS STARS HOCKEY OPS STAFF
Former Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley has formally announced his retirement as an active player player. He will take a hockey operations job with the organization as its Player Development Coordinator.
Peverley, 33, played 442 regular season games in the NHL and 59 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He spent the final 62 games of his career with the Stars in 2013-14 until a heart condition brought about the premature end to his playing days.
In September 2013, Peverley was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat after undergoing his pre-camp physical. After referral to hear specialists and another battery of tests, Peverley underwent a surgical procedure to correct the atrial fibrillation. He missed the preseason but returned to the ice to play in 62 games.
On March 9, 2014, the Stars hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets at the American Airlines Center. At 6:23 of the first period, Peverley collapsed on the Dallas bench. Emergency personnel rushed to tend to the fallen player as players from both teams and a silenced crowd kept a vigil from a distance. The game was ultimately postponed.
Thankfully, the player's condition was quickly stabilized and he was taken to the hospital for observation and recovery. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that the collapse was related to the player's heart condition. Peverley did not play again, sitting out the remainder of the 2013-14 season and all of 2014-15 before retiring. He served as a volunteer assistant coach with the AHL's Texas Stars last season
A graduate of St. Lawrence University who was never drafted by an NHL team and worked his way up from the ECHL to the AHL and finally to the big leagues, Peverley carved a niche for himself as a reliable two-way role player. His best NHL offensive season was a 22-goal, 55-point campaign as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009-10. Peverley was also a member of the Stanley Cup winning 2010-11 Boston Bruins, for whom he dressed in 25 playoff matches.
In a statement released by the team, Stars general manager Jim Nill said, ""We want to congratulate Rich and his family on his great playing career and look forward to the contributions he'll make in his new role."
Most of Peverley's emphasis in his new position will be in working with Stars prospects at the junior level. He may also do some supplementary work with minor league prospects.
On Sept 12, the Dallas Stars Alumni Team will play the Israeli national team in a charity benefit at Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco. The start time is 8:30 p.m.
Among the notable Stars Alumni slated to play in the game are goaltender Marty Turco, defensemen Richard Matvichuk and Craig Ludwig and forwards Guy Carbonneau and Greg Adams. Team Israel will feature the likes of prolific goaltender Evgeni Gusin and all-time leading national team scorer Sergei Frenkel.
Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com and range in price from $10-$50. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase a ticket for the Stars- Florida Panthers preseason game on Oct. 24 for $10 when purchasing tickets for the Stars Alumni game.
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