This time last year we were thinking ahead to the Dallas Stars game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Stars were in the midst of a chase for the their first playoff spot in years. By the end of the day we all had Rich Peverley and his family in our thoughts after he collapsed due to a cardiac event on the bench at the 6:23 mark of the first period.
Due to the fast action of Dallas Stars trainers and medical personnel, Peverley received the immediate treatment he needed and this was part of the reason he recovered so quickly.
You should read Mike Heika’s take on what happened and the impact it’s had on the Dallas Stars over at the Dallas Morning News:
What started as a normal hockey game ended in one of the most emotional nights in the lives of Stars players, coaches and management a year ago Tuesday.
And maybe that’s the legacy that will carry on after Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench at American Airlines Center on March 10, 2014 – that things really can change in an instant.
“I look back on that, and it’s almost a life-changer for the rest of us,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “When you think about it and remember it, that was someone’s life on the line, and you don’t forget that. You take a step back and realize that every day is precious.”
SNIP
“The best thing for all of us is seeing him healthy and happy and just having him around,” Horcoff added. “You never forget how you felt, but you also know he’s doing great now. I think there would be a tendency if you didn’t see him all the time to go up and ask him, ‘Hey, how are you feeling? Are you doing OK?’ He would hate that. He wants to live a normal life, and he’s doing that right now. That makes things easier for all of us.”
While his timetable to returning to the NHL is unknown, or if he will ever be able to play at the NHL level again, he remains around the Dallas Stars organisation. Peverley, understandably, still doesn’t want to talk to the media about what happened on this day last year. He’s still around the team, working out at their training facility in Frisco and has done some coaching on the ice at Cedar Park.
While he might not return to the NHL there are more important things in life than hockey. Family is more important than hockey in this Dallas Stars fan’s book. Good luck with everything Pevs.
Now to the rest of today’s links:
Firstly a gameday preview from Mark Stepneski over at the Dallas Stars website. [StarsInsideEdge]
It’s always nice to see Stephane Robidas getting well deserved reviews from the media and his teammates. Robidas, who has been shutdown for the season to have shoulder surgery, received some nice words from Morgan Rielly.
“He’s been a leader, he’s been trying to help me and Jake every day,” the 20-year-old said. “I think when you talk to players around the league that have played with him or against him, he’s got a tremendous amount of respect. He has that for a reason.”
For Dallas Stars fans, we know what a class act Robidas is, how hard he works for his team and mentors younger players. Read the whole piece over at the Globe and Mail. [Globe and Mail]
The season ticket drive for a potential new NHL franchise in Las Vegas crossed the 8,000 season ticket deposits mark to bring a new franchise a step closer to reality. They are still short of the 10,000 goal that was set up with the NHL though. [Yahoo Sports]
If you’d been watching last night’s Detroit Red Wings – Edmonton Oilers game you’d have seen a first in NHL history. Evgeny Romasko became the first Russian born referee to call an NHL game. [Edmonton Journal]
It seems like Toronto is never far from drama. Only a week after Phil Kessel’s ‘rant’ at the Toronto Media (the capitalisation is on purpose) it’s Nazem Kadri who’s on the Toronto hot seat. After being late to a team meeting at the weekend he was scratched for their game against the Islanders. They lost in OT. [Toronto Sun]
Over at Eyes On The Prize they’ve expanded their coverage into Women’s hockey only a couple of days after the Clarkson Cup Final -The Stanley Cup Final of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL). The Boston Blades won in a battle against their Montreal rivals. Here is the link to the new hub that they’ve set up. [Eyes On The Prize]
Speaking of the CWHL, over at the Stanley Cup of Chowder they think that the NHL should do more to promote women’s hockey. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
Another day, another draft ranking. Here is one from McKeen’s Hockey, I have to admit seeing who they ranked fifth raised my eyebrows slightly. [McKeen’s Hockey]
The opening schedule for the 2016 WJC was released yesterday; it’ll see Canada and the United States face off on the opening day of the tournament in Finland. That’ll be a fun way to start! [NHL]