Source: NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang will be out indefinitely after suffering a stroke on Monday, the team announced on Wednesday.
Kris Letang contacted chief sports trainer Chris Stewart on Monday, stating that he was experiencing a migraine and general malaise. Head team doctor Dr. Dharmesh Vyas ordered the defenseman to be rushed to the hospital after hearing about his symptoms.
After a series of tests, it was determined that Letang had suffered a stroke. According to his team, Kris has shown no long-term complications from the stroke, but he will still be tested extensively over the following week.
“In 2014, the defenseman missed over two months due to a stroke. During that time period, testing revealed that he was born with a very small hole in the wall of his heart. Although the small defect in the wall is apparent in all individuals, it typically closes on its own in most people. Since his initial stroke eight years ago, he has played 543 regular-season games and made 69 playoff appearances,” according to the news release.
“I am fortunate to know my body well enough to recognize when something isn’t right,” Letang said in the team’s statement. “While it is difficult to navigate this issue publicly, I am hopeful it can raise awareness. It is important for me that my teammates, family and the fans know that I am okay. I am optimistic that I will be back on the ice soon.”
Ron Hextall, the general manager of the Penguins, and Mike Sullivan, the team’s head coach, addressed the media on Wednesday to provide updates on Kris’ status.
According to them, Kris is doing well, both physically and mentally.
Coach Sullivan on how the team is doing with the recent news about Kris Letang: “We are all concerned for Kris because we care about him. Stroke is a scary word.”
Coach Sullivan continued: “After the game last night, I informed the players of Kris’ circumstance. He was with me when I did. It was important for Kris to be there because his teammates got to see him in good spirits and that he’s doing well.”
“I think when something like this arises, it certainly puts things in perspective for all of us,” Sullivan said. “We love the game. We compete hard. We live and die with winning and losing every night. But at the end of the day, we care about people, and he’s a guy that I think means a lot to our team.”
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“The level of hockey he’s played, for as long as he’s played, is absolutely incredible,” Hextall said. “The level he’s continued to play at, at his age, the type of shape he’s in… I’ve been here for less than two years, and I know I know how much I realize already how much he means to this organization, this city and how much he means to his teammates. He’s a warrior. He was talking last night about, ‘when can I skate?’ That’s not a question for me. He’s a terrific human being, and he’s one tough S.O.B.”
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