If you follow he NHL to any degree, you probably already know that Pittsburgh Penguin’s star defenseman Kris Letang has ben ruled out of competition for at least the next six weeks with a stroke. This isn’t a result of ice hockey activity or an “upper body injury” ladies and gentlemen, Letang is out of hockey for the indefinite future because of a potentially life threatening episode that could ultimately cut his career short.

We aren’t talking about an older human being in declining health, this is a world-class athlete that performs at the highest level of his chosen profession. Letang is an elite athlete who was in such tremendous physical condition that his coach, Dan Bylsma called him “one of the finest-tuned athletes we have.” The official word from the Pittsburgh medical staff is that their star defenseman will be sidelined for at least the next six weeks.

Too often we assign a sense of immortality to our sports heroes. We assume that these elite athletes are impervious to permanent injury beyond the traditional afflictions that occur on the field of play. Kris Letang dodged a metaphorical bullet when medical doctors discovered his malady. A hole in Letang’s heart that has been present since birth never completely healed and is thought to have contributed to his episode.

It is believed that Letang suffered the stroke before Pittsburgh’s west coast trip January 30th. He had complained of nausea and dizziness in Pittsburgh and was kept out of both Penguin games against Los Angeles and Phoenix. With no specifics given about Letang’s condition, rumors began to circulate that he was being kept out of the lineup while Ray Shero was negotiating a trade involving the All Star defenseman.

The Penguins were mum on Letang’s condition until they were able to conduct more tests. When it was confirmed that he had suffered a stroke Letang was adamant about speaking out on his condition.

"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," he 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."

While Letang’s spirit and positive outlook are to be commended, he is also hopefully considering the possibility that his playing days could be over. The selfish fan in me certainly wants a star in the prime of his career to continue his craft at an elite level, but a brush with mortality is absolutely nothing to take for granted.

Though I am certainly not a medical doctor (and never played one on TV), it has to be assumed that the contributing factors to Letang’s stroke could somehow come in to play if he continues to push his body beyond normal levels of exertion. It is a macabre consideration, but tragedy has found it’s way to the rink before. The only person that can truly make the decision about Kris Letang’s future is Letang himself. The Penguins have a long-term contract with his name on it, but at the moment his future is completely up in the air. While it certainly hurts the Pens because of the incredible player that they could potentially lose, it hardly cripples the franchise.

Letang has a child that has yet to reach his second birthday and has already made more money than most people will earn in a lifetime. He doesn’t need to risk his life, even to play the game he loves.  The world of sports is filled with both glory and cruelty and Kris Letang has now had his share of both. Ultimately we may not like it, but some things are just more important than hockey. The Penguins can find another man to replace number 58, the youngest Letang cannot.