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New York Rangers star center Vincent Trocheck had a harrowing health scare early in the season.
Trocheck, 32, revealed to reporters that his 14-game absence at the start of the season was due to a bacterial infection in his lungs.
“I got some viral bacteria into my lung and wasn’t sure what it was. This happened I think before the first game of the year. I thought I was just having back spasms and then I played the first game,” Trocheck said.
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New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck skates against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on April 5, 2026. (Danny Wild/Imagn Images)
“Got a little bit worse. Played in Buffalo. I got a cross-check right in that area, and whatever fluid was in there, it’s like bubbles, and I think the bubble burst and it spread. Then, then it just got a lot worse. I had a lot of fluid around my lung, so I had to have surgery to get the fluid out.”
The two-time All-Star said he had a chest tube inserted and was in the hospital for about a week. He called it strange and wouldn’t call it an injury.
“It was very scary. I thought I was dying,” Trocheck said.
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New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck skates against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on April 5, 2026. (Danny Wild/Imagn Images)
Trocheck, who starred on the penalty kill for Team USA during the Olympics and its gold medal run, said no one knows how the liquid originated.
The Pittsburgh native played in 67 games this season, scoring 16 goals and adding 37 assists for 53 points. Trocheck was in the middle of trade talks around the deadline, but was ultimately not moved.
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New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck skates against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on April 5, 2026. (Danny Wild/Imagn Images)
Even if Trocheck wasn’t traded at the deadline, he could still be out for the season as the Rangers look to rebuild after finishing last in the Eastern Conference.
Trocheck just finished his fourth season with the Rangers and has three more seasons remaining on a seven-year, $39.375 million contract.
