{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 2007)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Ben Kindel | image = Ben Kindel Penguins 2026.jpg | image_size = 180px | caption = Kindel warming up with the Penguins in 2026 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2007|4|19}} | birth_place = Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 182 | position = Forward | shoots = Right | league = NHL | team = Pittsburgh Penguins | prospect_league = | prospect_team = | ntl_team = | draft = 11th overall | draft_year = 2025 | draft_team = Pittsburgh Penguins | career_start = 2025 }} '''Benjamin Kindel''' (born April 19, 2007) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. A prospect from the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL), he was drafted eleventh overall by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
==Early life== Kindel was born on April 19, 2007, in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada,<ref name="EP">{{cite web |title=Benjamin Kindel |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/576985/benjamin-kindel |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=November 2, 2025}}</ref> to parents Steve Kindel and Sara Maglio. Both of his parents played professional soccer; Steve played for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the A-League and the Canadian national team, while Sara played for the Vancouver Whitecaps women's team and the Canadian national team. As such, he played both soccer and ice hockey until his teenage years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ewen |first1=Steve |title=Mom and dad both played for Vancouver Whitecaps, but Ben Kindel set to make noise at NHL Draft |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ben-kindel-set-to-make-noise-at-nhl-draft |access-date=November 2, 2025 |publisher=The Province |date=June 26, 2025}}</ref> Due to his father's influence, he grew up a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and admired Brendan Gallagher.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Crechiolo |first1=Michelle |title=Where You Come From Matters: Ben Kindel |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/where-you-come-from-matters-ben-kindel |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=October 31, 2025}}</ref>
==Playing career== ===Juniors=== Growing up in British Columbia, Kindel played for the Burnaby Winter Club U15 team from 2020 to 2022.<ref name="EP"/> He missed the first half of the 2021–22 season due to a broken hand, but was noticed by Garry Davidson, general manager of the Calgary Hitmen, at the John Reid Memorial Tournament.<ref name="Wheeler">{{cite web |last1=Wheeler |first1=Scott |title=How Ben Kindel, through soccer and sense, has become a top 2025 NHL Draft prospect |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6312704/2025/04/28/benjamin-kindel-nhl-draft-2025/ |publisher=The Athletic |access-date=November 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514071851/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6312704/2025/04/28/benjamin-kindel-nhl-draft-2025/ |archive-date=May 14, 2025 |date=April 28, 2025}}</ref> After being drafted by the Hitmen in the second round of the 2022 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft, Kindel played one season with the Yale U18 prep team. He scored 17 goals and 29 assists through 29 games with the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hitmen Sign Forward Ben Kindel |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/hitmen-sign-forward-ben-kindel/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=March 23, 2023}}</ref> Kindel made the Hitmen's opening lineup for the 2023–24 season at the age of 16 after a strong performance in training camp and the preseason.<ref name="Kierszenblat">{{cite web |last1=Kierszenblat |first1=Adam |title=Calgary Hitmen Ben Kindel Adjusting To Life In The WHL |url=https://thehockeynews.com/whl/players/calgary-hitmen-ben-kindel-adjusting-to-life-in-the-whl |publisher=The Hockey News |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=January 7, 2024}}</ref> He was named the WHL's Rookie of the Week for the week ending November 12, 2023, after scoring six points in two games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hitmen forward Kindel named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/hitmen-forward-kindel-named-kal-tire-whl-rookie-of-the-week/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref> By January, Kindel was tied for fourth in rookie scoring with 31 points.<ref name="Kierszenblat"/> He was named the Hitmen's Rookie of the Year after finishing his rookie season with 15 goals and a team-leading 45 assists.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023-24 Calgary Hitmen Awards |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/2023-24-calgary-hitmen-awards/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=March 26, 2024}}</ref>
Kindel greatly improved upon his rookie season upon returning to the Hitmen for the 2024–25 season.<ref name="EP"/> He began the season with four goals and seven assists through nine games and was selected for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kindel and Hamilton Selected For 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge Presented by Kubota |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/kindel-and-hamilton-selected-for-2024-chl-usa-prospects-challenged-prrsented-by-kubota/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=October 22, 2024}}</ref> By November, Kindel led the team with nine goals and 19 points through 15 games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hitmen forward Kindel catching fire ahead of 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/hitmen-forward-kindel-catching-fire-ahead-of-2024-chl-usa-prospects-challenge-presented-by-kubota-canada/|publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=November 5, 2024}}</ref> He also gained attention from National Hockey League (NHL) scouts and was ranked in the top 20 of all North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in their mid-term report.<ref>{{cite web |title=Three Hitmen Named in NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/three-hitmen-named-in-nhl-central-scouting-mid-term-rankings/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=January 14, 2025}}</ref> On January 8, Kindel set a new franchise record for longest point streak by a Hitmen player.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kepke |first1=Cami |title=NHL Draft-eligible forward Kindel sets Hitmen franchise record in Wednesday Night in the Dub victory |url=https://chl.ca/whl/article/nhl-draft-eligible-forward-kindel-sets-hitmen-franchise-record-in-wednesday-night-in-the-dub-victory/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 3, 2025 |date=January 8, 2025}}</ref> He finished the regular season as the Hitmen's scoring leader with 35 goals and 64 assists. He was also named to the Eastern Conference First All-Star Team with linemate Oliver Tulk.<ref>{{cite web |title=NEWS: Four Hitmen Named to Eastern Conference All-Star Teams |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/news-four-hitmen-named-to-eastern-conference-all-star-teams/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=April 1, 2025}}</ref>
Upon completing his sophomore season, Kindel was drafted in the first round, 11th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2025 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/ben-kindel-selected-11th-overall-in-the-2025-nhl-draft-by-penguins/|title=Ben Kindel Selected 11th Overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by Penguins|publisher=Calgary Hitmen|date=June 28, 2025}}</ref> He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team on July 8. As he was the Penguins' top pick of the draft, he was eligible to play in the NHL that season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Penguins Sign Ben Kindel to a Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-sign-ben-kindel-to-a-three-year-entry-level-contract |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 3, 2025 |date=July 8, 2025}}</ref>
===Professional=== Kindel became the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to make his NHL debut after playing his first game on October 7, 2025, against the New York Rangers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crechiolo |first1=Michelle |title=A Series of Unbelievable Firsts for Ben Kindel |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/a-series-of-unbelievable-firsts-for-ben-kindel |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=October 7, 2025}}</ref> He scored his first career NHL goal on October 11 against the Rangers.<ref>{{cite web |last1= Karafilis |first1= Brandon |title=Milestone Moment: Kindel Scores First NHL Goal |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/milestone-moment-kindel-scores-first-nhl-goal |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=October 12, 2025}}</ref> On November 3, Kindel recorded his first multi-goal NHL game, scoring two goals in a 4–3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. By the end of his twelfth professional game, he had already recorded five goals.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sachdeva |first1=Sonny |title=Amid rollercoaster loss, Kindel shows why Penguins have found new life |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/amid-rollercoaster-loss-kindel-shows-why-penguins-have-found-new-life/ |publisher=Sportsnet |access-date=November 4, 2025 |date=November 4, 2025 }}</ref> After December 14, Kindel suffered a 19-game goal drought, but snapped the streak on January 25, 2026 with two goals in a 3–2 victory over his hometown Vancouver Canucks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kindel scores twice, Penguins hold off Canucks for 4th straight win {{!}} NHL.com|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-vancouver-canucks-game-recap-january-25-2026|website=www.nhl.com|date=2026-01-26|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en}}</ref>
==International play== After completing his rookie season with the Calgary Hitmen, Kindel was named to Canada national under-18 team for the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Three Hitmen to Play in Hlinka Gretzky Cup |url=https://chl.ca/whl-hitmen/article/three-hitmen-to-play-in-hlinka-gretzky-cup/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=July 31, 2024}}</ref> He helped Team Canada clinch a gold medal for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canada wins 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup |url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/canada-wins-2024-hlinka-gretzky-cup-2024-25-nmu18t |publisher=Hockey Canada |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=August 13, 2024}}</ref> Kindel was also selected to represent Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships after the Hitmen were eliminated from the 2025 WHL playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kindel and Reschny score in debut, Canada stays perfect with 3-0 record at 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship |url=https://chl.ca/whl/article/kindel-and-reschny-score-in-debut-canada-stays-perfect-with-3-0-record-at-2025-iihf-u18-world-championship/ |publisher=Canadian Hockey League |access-date=November 2, 2025 |date=April 27, 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kindel is of Italian descent.<ref name="auto"/>
== Career statistics ==
===Regular season and playoffs=== {{Hockey season stats start|type=player}} {{Hockey season stats entry | season = 2022–23 | team = Calgary Hitmen | league = WHL | gp = 1 | goals = 0 | assists = 0 | pim = 0 }} {{Hockey season stats entry | bg = #f0f0f0 | season = 2023–24 | team = Calgary Hitmen | league = WHL | gp = 68 | goals = 15 | assists = 45 | pim = 14 }} {{Hockey season stats entry | season = 2024–25 | team = Calgary Hitmen | league = WHL | gp = 65 | goals = 35 | assists = 64 | pim = 39 | pogp = 11 | pogoals = 8 | poassists = 7 | popim = 8 }} {{Hockey season stats total | league = WHL | gp = 134 | goals = 50 | assists = 109 | pim = 53 | pogp = 11 | pogoals = 8 | poassists = 7 | popim = 8 }} {{Hockey season stats end}}
=== International === {{Hockey season stats start|type=player|international=yes}} {{Hockey season stats entry | international = yes | season = 2024 | team = Canada | event = HG18 | result = {{gold1}} | gp = 5 | goals = 1 | assists = 1 | pim = 0 }} {{Hockey season stats entry | international = yes | bg = #f0f0f0 | season = 2025 | team = Canada | result = {{bronze3}} | event = U18 | gp = 5 | goals = 1 | assists = 6 | pim = 2 }} {{Hockey season stats total | international = yes | league = Junior | gp = 5 | goals = 2 | assists = 7 | pim = 2 }} {{Hockey season stats end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Brayden Yager | title = Pittsburgh Penguins first-round draft pick | years = 2025 | after = Bill Zonnon}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kindel, Benjamin}} Category:2007 births Category:Living people Category:Ice hockey people from British Columbia Category:Sportspeople from Coquitlam Category:Canadian ice hockey centres Category:Canadian men's ice hockey players Category:Calgary Hitmen players Category:NHL first-round draft picks Category:Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players Category:Canadian sportspeople of Italian descent