Penguins' Ben Kindel hospitalized after medical episode on team flight

The Penguins' charter flight home from their Western road trip turned back shortly after takeoff Tuesday because forward Ben Kindel had a medical episode on board, the team said. Read more: Penguins' Ben Kindel hospitalized after medical episode on team flight

The plane returned to Salt Lake City International Airport, where an ambulance was waiting. Kindel, 19, was taken to the University of Utah Hospital for evaluation.

Team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of UPMC and the Penguins' medical staff were on the flight and attended to Kindel immediately, the team said in a statement. The club has not said what caused the episode.

"Ben is conscious, alert and in stable condition," the team said. It added that it would provide updates when appropriate and said protecting the privacy of Kindel and his family is a priority.

Rookie season put him here

Pittsburgh took Kindel 11th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft out of the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, and he made the Penguins' opening night roster as a teenager. He finished his rookie year with 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games.

Kindel missed time early this season with a lower-body injury, then returned and scored in each of his first two games back. He played Monday night in Salt Lake City against the Utah Mammoth, logging 18:53 of ice time without a point in a loss that dropped Pittsburgh's record on the four-game road trip to 0-4.

The trip ended Monday, and the team was flying home for a scheduled Wednesday practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry when the plane turned back.

Next game still two days out

Pittsburgh's next game is Thursday against the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins have not said whether he will travel with the team again this week or when he might be cleared.

For now, the team's statement stands as it was Tuesday: Kindel is stable and alert, under evaluation, with no further comment until there is more to report.