Penguins forward Benjamin Kindel is alert and in stable condition after suffering a medical emergency on the team's flight, according to the club.
The emergency happened shortly after takeoff, and the plane turned back to Salt Lake City while doctors on board tended to him, according to HabsolumentFan.
An ambulance was waiting when the plane landed, and he was rushed to the hospital.
The team's statement did not specify the nature of the emergency, and no timeline was given.
The only update that matters right now is the next one from the hospital. Everything else can wait.
A scare like this is like a phone ringing at three in the morning. Your heart drops before you even know what's wrong.
He was a first-round pick, 11th overall, in 2025, according to the report.
Ben Kindel was taken to the University of Utah Hospital after the Penguins team plane returned to Salt Lake City after takeoff due to a medical episode, the team announced.
He is conscious, alert and in stable condition.
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Benjamin Kindel hospitalized after Penguins' flight makes emergency return to Salt Lake City
Pittsburgh was coming off a 5-4 loss in Utah on Monday night.
The team was leaving Salt Lake City after a two-game swing that also included a stop in Vegas.
Kindel logged 18:53 in that game.
He has 4 points this season, including a power-play goal, on a $986,250 cap hit.
The teenager has dressed in nine games for Pittsburgh so far.
The Penguins are 3-6-1 and have dropped four straight.
It's already been a difficult stretch, with Bryan Rust and Samuel Girard both listed as day-to-day.
The Penguins are just 1-5-1 away from home so far this season.
Dan Muse and the rest of the group will be waiting on updates like everyone else tonight.
Pittsburgh is scheduled to host Florida on Thursday night.
How does a team turn its focus back to hockey after a night like this one?
That question can wait too. For now, the Penguins have a teammate in the hospital, and that's the only story that counts.
More details are expected as the situation develops over the coming days.
Alert and stable are the two most important words in that statement. Everything else, including Thursday's game, comes after.
Should the Penguins postpone Thursday's game if Benjamin Kindel's situation requires it?
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