Peverley’s Injury Reveals True Character Of NHL And Fans

First of all, here are the facts:

He has not missed time due specifically to the condition since the preseason until tonight.

Around 7 minutes into tonight’s game, he collapsed on the bench and was immediately taken to receive medical attention. The game was stopped momentarily as word of his condition was awaited.

When it was heard that he was going to be okay and was on his way to the hospital, the game was postponed to a date to be determined.

The hockey community is absolutely incredible.

Mar 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Play is stopped during the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets game while team officials check out center Rich Peverley (not pictured) during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

This injury is as frightening as they come. Heart conditions are incredibly unpredictable in their actions, and they can do much damage in not much time. Luckily, Rich Peverley was in excellent hands tonight, and the very professional medical staff did a great job taking care of him.

Jan 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Rich Peverley (17) skates against the Colorado Avalanche during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Avalanche defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Peverley was defibrillated, and is awake and aware at this point, and actually asked how much time was left in the game and when he could go back in to play. That’s a hockey player if I ever saw one.

After the flurry of confusion settled a bit, a blizzard of support stirred up from all across the country. Basically everyone involved with hockey in any way, whether an occasional fan or a GM of a team, was sure to let the Stars organization know that they were thinking of and praying for Rich Peverley.

As far as professional sports go, I believe hockey is the only sport that features

Mar 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; The Dallas Stars leave the ice after the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the American Airlines Center is postponed due to Dallas Stars center Rich Peverley (not pictured) collapsing during the first period . Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

brotherhood as a prominent characteristic of it’s organizations, and tonight was the perfect example of that. An incredibly scary situation was enveloped by support from all across the hockey world, as it should be. You don’t see a wave of support like that in other sports.

The way hockey players and fans can put away rivalries to come together for a member of the community will never cease to amaze me, and I am incredibly proud to be a hockey fan tonight. Well done to the medical staff that took care of Peverley, and congratulations to hockey fans as we once again proved that there is so much more to our sport than anyone knows.

Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for Rich Peverley.