Ben Kindel's Collapse on Penguins' Flight Detailed by GM Kyle Dubas After Forward's Hospitalization

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas shed some light on forward Ben Kindel's hospitalization earlier this week.

Dubas told reporters that Kindel collapsed on the team plane about 10 minutes into their flight home from Salt Lake City and regained consciousness after receiving oxygen. The plane returned to the airport, and two doctors stayed with him in Utah before he was cleared to fly back home to Pittsburgh.

Dubas added that Kindel's medical emergency has been diagnosed as a vasovagal episode, and he's back in the team's building for treatment and further testing.

Flyers Regretting Their Offseason Moves 🤦‍♂️

The Penguins announced that Kindel has been placed on injured reserve along with forward Bryan Rust, who suffered a lower-body injury. In a corresponding move, forward Rutger McGroarty and defenseman Chase Pietila were recalled from the team's AHL affiliate.

The No. 11 pick in the 2025 draft, Kindel has two goals and two assists nine games into his sophomore campaign. He saw 18:53 of ice time in Monday's 5-4 loss against the Utah Mammoth. The 19-year-old finished his rookie season with 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games.

Monday's loss to Utah extended Pittsburgh's losing streak to four straight games, and the team now sits in seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 3-6-1 record.

The Penguins will try to end their skid when they host the Florida Panthers (5-3-2) on Thursday night.