Rich Peverley Will Not Return This Season

Rich Peverley, Lindy Ruff, and team-affiliated doctors appeared at a press conference this afternoon to answer questions about his Monday collapse, and to announce that Peverley's season is over.

Peverley will not wait to undergo a procedure to restore his heart rhythm, one originally scheduled for the offseason. It's called atrial fibrillation ablation, and has a good track record of permanently preventing episodes. Until then, he is wearing a device that monitors his heart and will shock it back into rhythm if necessary.

When asked if Peverley will be able to return to play hockey again, doctors said it was too early to tell.

Doctors said the response during Monday's game was incredible: It took 14 seconds to get Peverley off the bench, into the tunnel, and undergoing the start of treatment. The speed of response is the most important factor in the recovery from a cardiac event. Said one doctor, "If we could have 14 seconds on everyone this happened to, it would be amazing."

Dallas GM Jim Nill noted that a season-ticket holder who is a registered trauma nurse hopped down from their seat and was one of the first people to tend to Peverley.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, but in many cases the sufferer may not show symptoms. Doctors said Peverley may have played in last year's postseason with the condition, but it wasn't identified until a physical in training camp. A flare-up last week led Peverley to skip a road game, and he had upped his medicine.

At the press conference, Peverley said he will be "forever grateful" to the doctors and staff who saved his life. After last night's win, Peverley texted his coach to pass along a message to the team: "Keep rolling."