Texas Stars Bring Rich Peverley Back to Hockey
When Rich Pevelry collapsed on the Dallas Stars bench due to a heart ailment eleven months ago, it seemed like his hockey career was over. While he might not take to the ice in an NHL game again, he is back involved with the Stars organization.
According to a story that appeared on Sports Illustrated, the former center has been working with the Stars’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Texas Stars. He has been an assistant coach and a mentor for the young players.
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Before this past season, Peverley had been approved to workout but has not been approved to actually play yet. It seemed like his career was over, but the Stars remain hopeful he might return someday.
Peverley has been involved with the team also season, going to practices with the player development director, but this past Wednesday was the first time he had skated all season.
Wrong Side of the Redline reported that Peverley had been working with the Stars first round pick Julius Honka with shooting and he even got involved with goalie drills with goaltending coach Andy Moog (former Boston Bruins goaltender).
“For me, he’s been a valuable asset,” Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff said. “He knows the game well, loves the game. He’s really missing it, but from a sense of being involved, he’s helping the coaches out.”
Peverley still does not take road trips with either Dallas or Texas and he was unable to return to his former stomping grounds in Boston for Dallas’ recent game at the TD Garden.
Instead, he stayed with the Texas Stars and worked with the roster they have there.
“We see him every day at the rink and I think he’s helping out every day in the press box, system-wise and he’s another voice up in the press box,” Dallas Stars forward Vernon Fiddler said in the Milford Daily News. “I think they’re keeping him busy with the team and helping out, so he feels like he’s still a part of the team and we still feel he’s a part of the team.”
The Stars are in third place in the West Division of the AHL. They are one point out of a playoff spot, being in 10th place in their conference overall. Their 53 points are behind the 54 from Adirondack and Hamilton. They trail San Antonio in their division by five points.
Texas is 5-3-1 in their last ten games, while Hamilton is 8-2 in their last ten and they lead the Stars. First round pick Julius Honka has struggled with a -11 rating in his 43 games this season.