CRANBERRY TWP (93.7 The Fan) – A week after he had an episode where he was unconscious on the team plane and had to be flown back to Utah and admitted to the hospital, forward Ben Kindel was back at full Pens practice Tuesday.
“Kind of getting back to normal, obviously a couple of weird days, but feels normal now just being back with the guys,” Kindel said. “Excited for the rest of the year.”
And like that he’s back with the potential to return on Thursday.
“Obviously an interesting experience, Pens explained it well in their releases and (GM) Kyle’s (Dubas) press conference,” Kindel said of dealing with vasovagal which caused the situation. “Just happy to be moving forward now, really grateful to the Penguins staff, doctors, trainers, who were so good. As well as the flight crew, so really grateful for that. They handled it with professionalism, now looking to move forward.”
“I thought it looked good,” Pens head coach Dan Muse said of Kindel’s practice. “It was great to have him back on the ice with us. Kindel has been around here, in the building, but obviously the next step just having him back on the ice for a full team practice as a full team participant.”
Kindel said he returned to working out a day or two after returning to Pittsburgh last Wednesday and said he’s glad he’s only missed two games. Playing Thursday is definitely on the table although Muse cautioned they will take it a day at a time, Tuesday was a good first step. They will practice again on Wednesday and then have more conversations.
“It’s a great sign, I’m pretty sure things are progressing well if he’s back out with us,” said Pens captain Sidney Crosby. “We’ve seen him around the rink here prior to being on the ice. It’s been awesome to have him around.”
Kindel said he’s grateful to his teammates for making it as normal as possible as he returned. Will it be normal for him when he gets back in a game? Will he be able to put the issue behind him?
“I wouldn’t say it’s that tough, for me it’s in the past now,” Kindel said. “It’s out of my head, can’t control what happens, got to move forward. That’s where my head is at, just looking to move forward now. Definitely not dwelling on anything or have anything holding me back coming into this weekend.”
He’s optimistic of a quick return. Tuesday at practice Kindel centered the second line between Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov. The 19-year-old would love for the rest of the season to just be able his and the team’s play.
“This is what we love to do, go out and play hockey,” Kindel said. “So awesome to be back on the ice.”
LISTEN to Kindel describe situation & what Dan Muse said of his potential return
LISTEN to Kindel describe situation & what Dan Muse said of his potential return
