PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins say defenceman Kris Letang will miss at least six weeks after having a stroke last week.
The Penguins made the announcement on their website, adding his condition is treatable with blood thinners and at this point is not believed to be career threatening.
Letang has been cleared to go on vacation with his family during the NHL’s Olympic break.
Further testing also showed Letang, 26, has had a very small hole in the wall of his heart since birth.
This defect is present in all individuals before birth but usually seals shut in most cases and it’s possible the hole in the heart led to the stroke.
The six-foot, 201-pound Letang was a Norris Trophy finalist last year as the NHL’s top defenceman and has 10 goals and 18 points in 34 games this season.
Letang has played 419 career games over seven seasons, registering 227 points, including 54 goals.
After six weeks of treatment, Letang will be re-evaluated.
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