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Penguins Place Ben Kindel on Injured Reserve After Collapse

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 10:31 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Penguins Place Kindel

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Ben Kindel on injured reserve after he collapsed on the team plane.
Kindel suffered a vasovagal episode about ten minutes after departing Salt Lake City International Airport.
The plane returned for an emergency landing and paramedics transported Kindel to the University of Utah Hospital.
Kyle Dubas said Kindel was cleared Wednesday and returned to Pittsburgh for testing.

Summary

Kindel Sets Record

Kindel set a Calgary Hitmen franchise record with a 23-game point streak from Nov. 8 to Jan. 12, 2024-25.
He posted 17 goals and 18 assists in 77 games during his 2025-26 rookie season.
He ranked ninth for Calder Trophy voting.
He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh in July 2025 after being drafted.
He debuted in October 2025 as the fifth-youngest player ever for the Penguins.

History

Historical Context

After Ben Kindel’s vasovagal episode placed him on injured reserve, the Penguins must follow the league’s health protocols that echo the NFL’s 2013 $765 million concussion settlement, overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor and covering more than 18,000 retired players. The settlement spurred rule changes and mandatory medical monitoring, setting a precedent for safety oversight across professional sports.

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Penguins Place Kindel

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Ben Kindel on injured reserve after he collapsed on the team plane.
Kindel suffered a vasovagal episode about ten minutes after departing Salt Lake City International Airport.
The plane returned for an emergency landing and paramedics transported Kindel to the University of Utah Hospital.
Kyle Dubas said Kindel was cleared Wednesday and returned to Pittsburgh for testing.

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