Vincent Trocheck’s Health Scare

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck faced a serious health issue at the beginning of the season.

The 32-year-old missed 14 games early on due to a bacterial infection in his lungs. Trocheck mentioned to reporters, “I got some viral bacteria in my lungs and I didn’t know what it was. This probably happened before the first game of the year. I played the first game thinking I was just having back spasms.”

He elaborated on how things took a turn for the worse during a game in Buffalo. “I got cross-checked in that area. Even if there was fluid there, it was like a bubble, and that bubble would have popped and spread. So it got worse. There was a lot of fluid around my lungs, so I had to have surgery to remove the fluid,” he said.

Trocheck underwent the procedure following a week-long hospitalization and had a chest tube inserted. He referred to the situation as peculiar, but, interestingly, he didn’t categorize it as an injury. “It was very scary. I thought I was going to die,” he admitted.

No one, including Trocheck, is quite sure how the infection escalated. He had been recognized for his role on the U.S. Olympic team, contributing to a gold medal win. During the season, he participated in 67 games, scoring 16 goals and providing 37 assists. As the trade deadline approached, discussions about his future heated up, but he ultimately stayed with the Rangers.

Trocheck’s health scare adds another layer of complexity as the Rangers plan to rebuild following a difficult season where they finished last in the Eastern Conference. He has three years remaining on his seven-year contract worth $39.375 million, so his situation will surely be one to watch as the offseason unfolds.