The Pittsburgh Penguins Flight Returns After Medical Incident Involving Ben Kindel
The Pittsburgh Penguins had to turn their plane back shortly after departing when forward Ben Kindel experienced a “medical episode” during the flight. Fortunately, Kindel, who is 19 years old, received immediate medical assistance while on board and is currently in stable condition.
According to the team’s statement, the aircraft returned to Salt Lake City International Airport shortly after takeoff. Their team physician, Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, was present and quickly attended to Kindel. An ambulance awaited the plane’s arrival, and he was then transported to the University of Utah Hospital for further assessment. The Penguins reported that he is conscious and alert.
Furthermore, the team emphasized their commitment to the health and safety of their players while also considering the privacy of their families. They indicated that more updates would be provided as appropriate.
The Penguins had recently played a game where they lost 5-4 to the Utah Mammoth, but they chose not to travel until Tuesday since their next game isn’t scheduled until Thursday.
Ben Kindel was selected as the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut last season. Over the course of 86 games, he scored 19 goals and added 20 assists. This season, he has recorded two goals and two assists in nine games. In the last match against the Mammoth, he played nearly 19 minutes, making him the youngest player on the team.
The Penguins’ front office, coaching team, and medical staff have decided to stay with Kindel in Utah. It’s a challenging situation, but he seems to be in good hands.
