Penguins' Letang suffers stroke, out indefinitely

Kris Letang volition beryllium retired indefinitely aft the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman suffered a changeable earlier this week, the squad said Wednesday.

Penguins wide manager Ron Hextall said successful a connection that Letang was taken to a infirmary Monday aft reporting his symptoms to the team's aesculapian staff. The Penguins said the six-time All-Star was not experiencing immoderate lasting effects and that this is not believed to beryllium career-threatening.

"I americium fortunate to cognize my assemblage good capable to admit erstwhile thing isn't right," Letang said successful a statement. "While it is hard to navigate this contented publicly, I americium hopeful it tin rise awareness. It is important for maine that my teammates, household and the fans cognize that I americium OK. I americium optimistic that I volition beryllium backmost connected the crystal soon."

Letang volition proceed to acquisition tests this week. The Penguins said determination volition beryllium nary updates until those tests are completed and a program is successful place.

"The trial results were shocking to hear, but we are grateful Kris is doing well," Hextall said.

Letang, 35, antecedently suffered a changeable successful 2014 and missed much than 2 months of the season. Tests showed that Letang was calved with a tiny spread successful the partition of his heart.

He has 1 extremity and 11 assists successful 21 games this play portion starring the Penguins with 23:54 successful crystal clip per game.