The Pittsburgh Penguins got some welcome relief on Thursday: Ben Kindel has been cleared to return to Pittsburgh after the medical episode that forced the team to turn around its flight following Monday night’s 5-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth.
President of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas said Kindel was cleared on Wednesday, and he also shed light on what happened to the 19-year-old forward after the team plane left Salt Lake City International Airport. Per Wes Crosby of the NHL’s website, Dubas said Kindel suffered a vasovagal syncope about 10 minutes into the flight.
The condition can cause a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn reduces blood flow to the brain and can briefly cause a loss of consciousness. Kindel was given oxygen when the plane returned to the airport, then was taken to the University of Utah medical center.
For now, the Penguins expect Kindel to miss at least Thursday night’s home game against the Florida Panthers and Saturday night’s matchup with the Nashville Predators. There is still a possible path for him to get back in the lineup for the Oct. 29 home game against the Mammoth.
“I mean, so tough to put a timeframe on it,” Dubas said about when Kindel could resume playing. “We play tonight.
We play Saturday night. ... Our hope is to get everything done, tested, back into training here in the next four days or so and see if he can return to practice on Sunday or Monday.
That’s why I would put an asterisk on that by saying, 'We'll see how everything goes before then.'”
Kindel has put up four points - two goals and two assists - in nine games this season.
Dubas also said there’s no known previous history of this kind of episode for Kindel, and that the young forward was left “very clearly shaken” by what happened.
The Penguins, sitting at 3-6-1 and riding a four-game losing streak, are trying to steady themselves while one of their players recovers. Dubas said the focus on Thursday night is still straightforward.
“The show goes on [Thursday night],” Dubas acknowledged. “So, we have to gear up and get ready for that.
No. 1, take care of our people. And No. 2, put them in a good place to perform.
So, we'll get back at it.”
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