Pittsburgh Penguins plane turns back after medical emergency involving Ben Kindel
The Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team’s plane returned to an airport in Utah after player Ben Kindel suffered a medical episode, according to the team. He was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition.
The plane returned to Salt Lake City International Airport shortly after takeoff on Tuesday, the team said in a statement. The team’s physician, Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of UPMC, and other medical staff were on board and immediately attended to Kindel.
An ambulance was waiting when the aircraft landed. Kindel was taken to University of Utah Hospital for further evaluation and is conscious and alert, according to the team.
The Penguins have not disclosed the nature of the medical episode. They said the health and safety of their players and their families’ privacy are their priority, and further updates will be provided when appropriate.
Kindel, 19, is a Canadian player in his second season with Pittsburgh. The NHL team selected him with the 11th pick in the 2025 draft, and he joined its lineup later that year.
