NHL1h ago
Penguins Forward Ben Kindel Returns Home After In-Flight Episode
The 19-year-old is recovering in Pittsburgh following a vasovagal episode that forced the team plane to make an emergency landing.
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Details of the Incident
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel is back in the city and recovering after collapsing on the team's flight from Utah earlier this week. The 19-year-old went down about 10 minutes after departure from Salt Lake City on Tuesday. The plane returned to the airport for an emergency landing, and Kindel was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for observation before his release on Wednesday.
Medical Findings and Testing
The episode was identified as a vasovagal response involving a sharp drop in heart rate and blood pressure. Kindel has no prior history of collapsing. He continued evaluations at the team facility on Thursday after the initial hospital stay.
Injured Reserve Placement and Outlook
The club placed the 2025 first-round pick on injured reserve. No timetable for return has been set, though there is optimism he could resume training by the end of the weekend pending further test results. Kindel has two points and two assists in nine games this season and played nearly 19 minutes in Monday night's game against Utah.
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