Penguins forward Ben Kindel hospitalised after medical episode

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 23:57 · Archive

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel was hospitalised in Salt Lake City after experiencing a medical episode on the team plane. The Penguins were travelling home on Tuesday following a 5-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Monday night when the incident occurred. The team's aircraft returned to Salt Lake City International Airport shortly after takeoff.

Team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas and other medical staff onboard attended to Kindel. He was transferred to University of Utah Hospital for further evaluation. According to a statement issued by the team, Kindel is conscious, alert and in stable condition. The nature and severity of his ailment were not disclosed.

Kindel, 19, is in his second NHL season and is one of the organisation's most prized young players. A first-round draft pick (No. 11 overall) in 2025, he made the roster out of training camp last season and became a lineup regular immediately, posting 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games as a rookie. He has appeared in nine games this season with four points and has been averaging 17 minutes, 19 seconds of ice time per contest as the team's third-line centre.

Kindel completed Monday's game with no evident impairment. He was denied a potential game-tying goal by Mammoth goaltender Sebastian Cossa, who stopped a shot by Kindel near the crease with five seconds remaining in regulation.

Citing concerns for privacy, the team said it would provide further updates when appropriate. Kindel's agent, Ross Gurney, indicated Kindel was still undergoing further evaluation in Utah as of Tuesday evening. The Penguins are scheduled to practice at noon on Wednesday in Cranberry.

How it is being reported

• Pittsburgh Penguins forced to return to airport shortly after takeoff. Here’s whyA medical episode occurred as the team was in the air.PennLive · 20 Oct, 23:27
• Ben Kindel had a ‘medical episode’ on the Penguins team plane, forcing them to return to UtahPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 20 Oct, 21:47
• Penguins forward Ben Kindel hospitalized in Utah after ‘medical episode’Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel was hospitalized Tuesday in Salt Lake City after experiencing what was termed a “medical episode,” according to a statement issued by the team .TribLIVE · 20 Oct, 21:47

In this story: Ben Kindel · Pittsburgh Penguins · Salt Lake City · Utah Mammoth · University of Utah Hospital

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem