The Las Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo has confirmed that he will be unavailable for an indefinite period due to an illness in his family, the team announced on Wednesday. Pietrangelo, who has already missed four games as a result of this issue, was moved to the Golden Knights’ non-roster list.
“The Vegas Golden Knights wholeheartedly support Alex and the Pietrangelos and ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this time,” the team’s statement on the matter read. Currently, there is no timeline for the defenceman’s return to the team.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy emphasized his support for Pietrangelos, stating that he believes in the player and trusts that the defenceman will return to action when he is ready to do so. So far this season, Pietrangelos has played in 23 games, scoring three goals and 21 points.
Pietrangelos previously stepped back from the sport in 2018 when his niece was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumor, which is a rare kidney cancer primarily found in children, from which she ultimately recovered.
In Pietragelos’ absence, the Golden Knights will look toward Shea Theodore, Alec Martinez, and Brayden McNabb to fill his shoes.
