As reported earlier in the week by multiple sources, Pittsburgh forward Ben Kindel suffered a medical emergency shortly after the Pens took off from the Salt Lake City airport on Tuesday. Thereafter, he was hospitalized at The University of Utah Hospital following the plane’s return to the airport. Kindle suffered what has been identified as a “vasovagal episode,” which is a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate causing reduced blood flow to the brain and a brief loss of consciousness. Kindel was administered oxygen on the plane, and reportedly regained consciousness prior to the emergency landing. Although still “clearly shaken” by the episode per General Manager Kyle Dubas, Kindel has since been released from the hospital, and now is back in Pittsburgh. Barring any setbacks related to this health scare, Kindel is tentatively scheduled to resume practicing with the team early next week.
On the hockey side of things, Kindel understandably has been placed upon the team’s Injured Reserve list, along with Penguins’ forward Bryan Rust. Occurring simultaneously with these roster moves were the call-ups of forward Rutger McGroarty and d-man Chase Pietila. One of the Pens’ top prospects, McGroarty has had an excellent start to the season in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, registering 9 points (4G 5A) in 6 games this season. McGroarty did not make the Pens opening-night roster due a log-jam at the forward position, and word is the Pens are looking to move some veteran forwards to give their young players a fair shot at the NHL level.
