BREAKING: Letang returns to the Penguins lineup Wednesday

Penguins’ defenseman Kris Letang will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Red Wings. Letang has missed 10 weeks after suffering a stroke in late January.

“Hockey didn’t cause this stroke,” said GM Ray Shero. “He’s at no further risk to suffer a stroke playing hockey than going to grocery store.”

Letang has 10 goals and eight assists (18 points) in 37 games this season. He has been practicing since the middle of March so he should be up to speed. The Penguins have three regular season games remaining, but his return is a huge boost for their blue line in the playoffs.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that defenseman Kris Letang will miss six weeks after having a stroke last week.

The condition is treatable by blood thinners and is not believed to be career threatening at this time. Letang has had a small hole in the wall of his heart since birth, the hole could have potentially led to the stroke. Although he still can do certain activities like go camping, he said he read the Survival Cooking’s best cooler review because hes planning a camping trip soon.

Letang had been dealing with a ‘mysterious illness’ that the Penguins listed very few details about. But a condition like this and a stroke is bigger than hockey. Letang is just 26-years-old with a great future ahead of him, but for now that will be put on the back burner.

After not making Team Canada, Letang will travel on vacation with his family during the two-week break, they love camping and try to read the Survival Cooking list of best coolers, they get one of the waterproof backpacks from The PNW and also try to read the camper decals reviews and the tactical flashlight as well as the infrared binoculars every time they plan a camping trip. After the break Letang is expected to resume skating on his own and he will be reevaluated in six weeks.

“I hope that by making my condition public at this time, I can help other people by encouraging them to seek medical help if they experience some of the symptoms associated with a stroke – regardless of their age or general health,” Letang said. “It obviously was a shock to get the news but I’m optimistic that I can overcome this and get back on the ice.”

Letang was a Norris Trophy finalist last season, but a number of different ailments have limited him to just 34 games this season. In those contests, Letang has scored 10 goals and added eight assists (18 points).