Dallas Stars' Rich Peverley takes step toward NHL return

Dallas Stars forward Rich Peverley is taking a step toward returning to the NHL six months after suffering cardiac arrest during a game.

While all the buzz in Dallas is being sparked by the new faces who are attending camp with the Stars this week, the best news involves a familiar one.

Stars general manager Jim Nill confirmed Thursday that Rich Peverley will be on hand when the team gathers on Friday in Fort Worth and could take part in some off-ice activities.

“He’s cleared to work out, but not cleared to go on the ice yet,” Nill said of the winger. “He has to go to a cardiologist to be tested, and there’s no timeline on that right now.”

Confusion, fear inside American Airlines Center after Rich Peverley collapses

​Peverley hasn't skated since he collapsed on the bench after suffering a cardiac event during a March 3 game against Columbus. The veteran winger underwent an ablation procedure in the following weeks that got his heart back into a natural rhythm.

Nill said Peverley spent the summer working at getting his heart rate up. “I think it’s a matter of seeing how far he can go, and how he feels.”

While his presence at camp is promising, there's still a strong possibility that Peverley's comeback bid could fall short. That's not, however, a topic that Nill was willing to broach.

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“I think we’re all moving day to day and trying to see how far he can push it,” he said. “We’ll have patience with Rich and support him and simply go through the process. So much of it is listening to the doctors and allowing them to guide the process.”

Stars beat writer Mike Heika reported that Peverley attended the press conference, but deferred all questions to Nill.

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