Skip to content

Rich Peverley announces retirement, joins Stars' front office

Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports

Former Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley announced his retirement and accepted a role in the club's player development department Friday.

Peverley hasn't played since collapsing on the Stars' bench during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in March 2014. He spent the last 18 months rehabbing and appeared to be close to attempting a comeback bid in May.

“It was working out, monitoring how I was doing, continuing to see doctors to exhaust every avenue and find out exactly if I could play,” Peverley told Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News.

“It’s a case that’s very complicated, and what I have learned is there is no 100 percent to medicine and, unfortunately, I can’t play anymore.”

Stars general manager Jim Nill offered congratulations to Peverley and welcomed him back to the organization.

"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," Nill said.

Stars forward Tyler Seguin tweeted well wishes to his former teammate on Friday:

Peverley will be based in his home province of Ontario for his new job, but he will travel to help Stars prospects in the junior and college ranks.

He spent the 2014-15 season assisting the Stars organization in the press box during games. He also worked with the team's AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.

“I’ve kind of been in a small development role in Cedar Park, and I really enjoyed that,” Peverley said.

“I also was able to be almost an assistant coach as the eye in the sky, and that was something I was very proud of and I took very seriously. And that helped me get through those months and days when I really wanted to play.”

The 33-year-old scored 84 goals and added 157 assists in 442 games with the Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Boston Bruins, and the Stars over eight seasons. He won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011.

Peverley hasn't suffered any medical setbacks since the collapse.

“I haven’t had any issues since my incident," he said. "I can continue to enjoy my life, and I get a second chance at life, and I’m going to try to take advantage of that."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox