Penguins forward Ben Kindel returns to practice a week after fainting on a team flight

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel returned to practice Tuesday, a week after fainting on the team’s flight back from Utah. The 19-year-old experienced what Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas described as a vasovagal episode. The team plane left Salt Lake City on Oct. 20, and Kindel lost consciousness shortly after takeoff. Club medical staff treated him onboard, and he spent the night at a Salt Lake City hospital for observation before being cleared to return to Pittsburgh the following day. He was placed on injured reserve but is optimistic about returning soon. Pittsburgh is off until Thursday, when it hosts Utah. Coach Dan Muse said they’ll evaluate his status day by day.