Rich Peverley has heart surgery

ByRichard Durrett ESPN logo
Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley had surgery Tuesday at Cleveland Clinic to correct an abnormal heart rhythm, but no decision has been made about whether he will play hockey again.

At the least, Peverley is out for the rest of this season.

The 31-year-old Peverley is in "normal sinus rhythm," and was released from the clinic Wednesday, according to a statement by Stars general manager Jim Nill. Peverley is expected to return to Dallas on Thursday.

"He will be monitored closely and may require further treatment," Nill said in the statement. "There is no decision being made at this time on his ability to return to hockey participation."

Peverley collapsed on March 10 as he skated to the bench early in the first period of the Stars' game with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was taken from the bench and administered CPR, and a defibrillator was used to treat a cardiac event. Peverley was talking before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remained for 48 hours undergoing tests.

He visited teammates last Thursday at practice and then watched Friday's game at American Airlines Center from a suite. He was shown on the video board and waved to the crowd, and received a standing ovation. Peverley traveled to Cleveland earlier this week to meet with doctors and undergo surgery.

The March 10 game was postponed and will be made up April 9 in Dallas.