Rich Peverley’s season not surprisingly is over after he collapsed on the Dallas Stars’ bench during Monday night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Peverley will soon undergo a procedure in Cleveland that he was scheduled to have performed after the season in an attempt to correct his heart issue. The 31-year-old forward was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat before the current season.
Whether Peverley will be able to return to hockey in the future remains uncertain, Dr. Robert Dimeff said Wednesday at a news conference.
Peverley collapsed on the bench during the first period of Monday’s game while fans and players watched in stunned silence. He immediately attended to by medical personnel and transported from American Airlines Arena to a Dallas hospital, where he underwent more tests and remains in stable condition. The game was postponed with the Blue Jackets leading 1-0.
“On behalf of my wife, all of my family and myself, I’d like to thank the number of people who saved my life,” Peverley said in a prepared statement. “They all attended to me once I passed out and they saved my life and I will forever be grateful.”
After making his statement, Peverley stood up and shook hands with Stars coach Lindy Ruff, general manager Jim Nill and doctors before leaving the room.
Dimeff said he believes Peverley played in the Stanley Cup Finals last year with a condition known as atrial fibrillation.