Rich Peverley trying to make the most of next phase of hockey career
Rich Peverley is learning the game all over again.
The 33-year-old, who announced his retirement as a player earlier this month, is working with the Dallas Stars at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament. Peverley is trying to soak in all the knowledge he can from general manager Jim Nill as he embarks on his new role in player development.
"I'm just trying to listen and learn and get the most out of it," Peverley told Mike Morreale of NHL.com. "I spent some time last year in Cedar Park (with the AHL's Texas Stars) so I have that familiarity and that kind of gave me a little jump start.
"It's still a learning process but it's like starting a career all over again; I just have to stop and learn and make the most of the information that I can."
Watching the organization's prospects bring back memories for the former center, whose playing days were cut short by a heart issue.
"I tried to come back and exhaust every avenue but I'm happy with the fact now that it's been almost 19 months since I played a game in the league," Peverley said. "I wanted to play but I'm more at ease where I am in life. You always want to play and you'll miss that side of it but I'm lucky enough to have this opportunity that the Stars have given me and to work my way up."
Peverley finished his career having scored 84 goals and 241 points in 442 regular season games. He won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
He'll now be tasked with helping build a winner in Dallas, focusing primarily on prospects in the Ontario Hockey League.