Penguins' Ben Kindel Stable After Plane Medical Episode

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel, 19, had a medical episode on the team plane shortly after takeoff from Salt Lake City on Tuesday, prompting a return to the airport. Team physician Dharmesh Vyas and other medical staff attended to him on board. An ambulance waiting at the airport took him to University of Utah Hospital for evaluation. The Penguins said Kindel is conscious, alert and in stable condition, that the health and safety of players and privacy for their families are the top priority, and that further updates will come when appropriate. The club was leaving after a 5-4 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Monday, its fourth consecutive defeat, and is scheduled to host the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Kindel has four points in nine games this season, has played 86 career regular-season NHL games, and logged close to 19 minutes against the Mammoth. He had 35 points in 77 games last season. Pittsburgh is 3-6-1 through 10 games. Practice was set for Wednesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, per Pittsburgh Hockey Now. The team has not released details on the nature of the episode, and it was unclear whether the club flew back to Pittsburgh as planned.