Report: NHL adding ER doctors on team benches for every game

The NHL is reportedly taking extra medical precautions this season.

In the wake of last season's incident involving Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley, the league will ensure that an emergency room doctor is on hand for every game, according to Yahoo Sports.

Peverley collapsed on the bench during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in March and was taken to hospital. He underwent heart surgery and missed the rest of the season.

Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench during a game in 2005, and the league increased its medical presence as a result.

From the report:

The NHL strengthened its emergency medical standards after the Fischer incident. Each team needed two doctors near the benches at each home game, and at least one needed current training in hockey-specific trauma management or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Each team needed one AED at the home bench and another on an ambulance dedicated to the players.

Now, after the Rich Peverley incident last season, the NHL has strengthened its standards further. Each team needs three doctors near the benches at each home game - an orthopedist, a primary care physician and an ER physician - and at least one, if not all, must have current training in ATLS and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

(H/T Pro Hockey Talk)