Penguins center Ben Kindel had a “medical episode” on the team’s flight Tuesday out of Salt Lake City shortly after takeoff, forcing the plane to make a quick return to Salt Lake City International Airport, the team announced.
Kindel, 19, “is conscious, alert and in stable condition,” according to the Penguins.
Team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas and the Penguins medical staff attended to Kindel, and he was transferred via ambulance to University of Utah Hospital upon landing for further evaluation, the team said.
The Penguins lost to the Mammoth Monday night in the final game of a four-game road trip and were set to return to Pittsburgh ahead of a home game against the Panthers on Thursday.
Kindel is in his second season with Pittsburgh after the team selected him in the first round, No. 11 overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft.
In 77 games as a rookie, Kindel had 17 goals and 18 assists and finished ninth in the Calder Trophy voting.
He has two goals and two assists in nine games this season as the third-line center while getting power-play time on the second unit.