Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel was taken to a Salt Lake City hospital on Tuesday after a medical episode forced the team's charter plane to turn back to the airport shortly after takeoff. The Penguins said the 19-year-old was conscious, alert and in stable condition following the scare, though no diagnosis or further medical details have been released.
The team plane returned to Salt Lake City International Airport shortly after takeoff due to the medical episode involving Kindel, according to a statement from the KJZZ report on the incident. As reported by SportsNet Pittsburgh, team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of UPMC and the club's medical staff were on board and immediately attended to Kindel once the episode began.
An ambulance was waiting when the plane landed back in Salt Lake City, and Kindel was taken to University of Utah Hospital for further evaluation, per the same account. The Penguins said in their statement that Kindel is conscious, alert and in stable condition, and that the organization would provide further updates when appropriate.
A Rising Rookie's Second NHL Season
Kindel, 19, is in his second NHL season, according to Deseret News. He scored during the second period of a game against the Montreal Canadiens in Pittsburgh earlier this month, a sign of the young forward's growing role with the club this season.
The medical emergency came after the Penguins had faced the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake City on Monday. Per NHL.com, the team is scheduled to next play Thursday against the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Team Says Player Safety Remains the Priority
The Pittsburgh Penguins said players' health and safety were the team's top priority, and that it would provide further updates when appropriate. The Associated Press also confirmed that Kindel was hospitalized in Utah following the emergency on the team flight, but no additional details about his condition, treatment or timeline for recovery have been made public.
