The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Wednesday that star defenseman Kris Letang has undergone successful surgery to close a small hole in his heart, with an estimated recovery time of four-to-six weeks.

The procedure marks another chapter in Letang’s past battles with heart-related health concerns. Letang first missed 26 games in the second half of the 2013–14 season due to a heart issue. Then, as recently as the 2022–23 season, Letang was sidelined after suffering the second stroke of his career. At the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign, Letang was presented with the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Originally chosen by the Penguins in the third round of the 2005 NHL Draft, the 37-year-old Montreal native has spent his entire 19-year career with Pittsburgh where 1,161 career contests he has collected 175 goals and 597 assists for 772 points, fifth-most in franchise history and first among defensemen. Of note, through 74 appearances this season, Letang has collected nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points coupled with 52 penalty minutes and a minus-15 rating.

On two occasions, Letang has topped the 60-point plateau, including a career-high 68-point finish in 2021-22 where through 78 outings he put up 10 goals and 58 assists. Letang has also added 23 goals and 67 assists for 90 points in 149 postseason appearances, underscored by Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017.

Per PuckPedia, Letang is in the third year of a six-year contract that carries a $6.1-million annual average value.

For the Penguins, on the season the club sits 33-36-12, marking the third-straight year in which the club will not participate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Penguins’ final game of the 2024-25 regular season comes Thursday against the Metropolitan Division rival and Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals.