Dubas: Kindel Recovering After In-Flight Fainting, Could Practice Next Week
Penguins forward Ben Kindel fainted on the team’s flight out of Salt Lake City because of a vasovagal episode, general manager Kyle Dubas said. Kindel was given oxygen, the plane landed early, and he was cleared to travel home before Pittsburgh put him on injured reserve. Dubas said a return to practice could come Sunday or Monday, but the club is still awaiting test results and has not set a firm date.
Kindel, a 19-year-old Pittsburgh forward, experienced a vasovagal reaction—a sharp fall in heart rate and blood pressure—roughly ten minutes after the club’s plane departed Salt Lake City on Tuesday. He received oxygen, the flight landed early, and he was evaluated at the University of Utah medical center before being cleared to return home Wednesday.
Pittsburgh put him on injured reserve Thursday, ruling him out against Florida and Nashville; Oct. 29 versus Utah is the soonest plausible return. Dubas said Kindel has no prior vasovagal episodes, the trigger remains unclear, and early seizure reports gave way to the vasovagal diagnosis. Kindel has two goals and two assists in nine games.
The incident may heighten awareness among hockey fans, players, and team staff about in-flight medical emergencies and vasovagal fainting, especially for young athletes. It could prompt teams to review travel health protocols and communication during health scares. For Pittsburgh’s locker room, the scare may reinforce teammate bonds and perspective during a poor stretch, while fans may follow Kindel’s recovery closely.