The Pittsburgh Penguins are going through a tough season so far, and things got even more bizarre on Tuesday. The Penguins team plane had to stop a trip and land after a medical episode involving one of the players, per the team.
Forward Ben Kindel was on the plane when he experienced a medical episode. The team isn't revealing what happened. Medical personnel immediately attended to Kindel on the plane, the team said.
The plane had to return to the airport in Utah where it had just taken off from. Pittsburgh was leaving Salt Lake City to return to Pennsylvania.
“An ambulance was waiting upon arrival, and he was taken to the University of Utah Hospital for further evaluation. Ben is conscious, alert and in stable condition,” the team said in a statement. “The health and safety of our players, as well as the privacy for their families, are our top priority. The team will provide further updates when appropriate.”
Pittsburgh's plane had just left the Salt Lake City airport, when the incident occurred. The Penguins were leaving after losing a game Monday to the Utah Mammoth. Utah defeated Pittsburgh, 5-4.
Kindel is just 19 years old. This season, he has posted four points in nine games. He has appeared in 86 career regular season NHL games. During the game against the Mammoth, Kindel posted close to 19 minutes of ice time.
Kindel is one of the youngest players on the Penguins roster. He started playing with the team during the 2025-26 season. Last season, Kindel posted 35 points in 77 regular season games.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 3-6-1 record over its first 10 games. Pittsburgh next plays the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Penguins have lost four games in a row.
Penguins fans everywhere hope that Kindel is doing alright.