Stars' Rich Peverley out for season, will undergo heart procedure

Rich Peverley had a heart procedure performed in September 2013 but returned for the regular season. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Dallas Stars captain Rich Peverley will miss the remainder of the season and undergo a procedure to regulate his heart rate, according to an ESPN report from Richard Durrett.

The news comes roughly two days after the 31-year-old collapsed on the Stars' bench during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He received immediate medical attention and had initially scheduled his surgery for the offseason before deciding to move it up. Recovery time for the procedure spans several months.

SI WIRE: Ex-Oilers coach Ralph Krueger named chairman of English Premier League team

Peverely issued a statement on Wednesday, telling the media that he's thankful for the people who took immediate care of him in the past few days, according to a CBS Sports report from Brett Subits:

"On behalf of my wife, all of my family and myself I'd like to thank the number of people who saved my life. They all attended to me once I passed out and they saved my life and I will forever be grateful."

Doctors said Peverely may have been playing with atrial fibrillation in last season's Stanley Cup Final.

GALLERY: Horrifying NHL incidents