Rangers' Trocheck Reveals Scary Bacterial Lung Infection

Veteran forward missed significant time due to serious medical issue that required surgery.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player's body broken down into overlapping angular planes in muted blue, gray, and white tones, conceptually representing the physical challenges faced by professional athletes.Trocheck's health scare exposes the physical toll of professional hockey, as the Rangers forward battles through a serious bacterial infection.NYC Today

New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck revealed that he had a bacterial infection in his lungs that required surgery and caused him to miss most of October and early November. Trocheck said the situation was 'very scary' and that he 'thought I was dying' due to the severity of the infection.

Why it matters

Trocheck is one of the Rangers' top players, so his extended absence due to a serious medical issue was a significant blow to the team, which struggled throughout the season and finished last in the Metropolitan Division.

The details

Trocheck said the bacterial lung infection required surgery, causing him to miss most of October and the first several days of November. Despite the health scare, Trocheck was still productive for the Rangers, scoring 16 goals and 37 assists in 67 games.

  • Trocheck revealed the details of his medical issue during the Rangers' locker cleanout day on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • Trocheck missed most of October and the first several days of November due to the bacterial lung infection and subsequent surgery.

The players

Vincent Trocheck

A 32-year-old forward who has spent the last four seasons with the New York Rangers, scoring 89 goals and 253 points in the regular season.

J.T. Miller

The captain of the New York Rangers, who tied Trocheck for second on the team in scoring this season with 53 points.

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What they’re saying

“It was very scary. I thought I was dying.”

— Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers forward

What’s next

The Rangers will look to bounce back next season after finishing last in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings. Trocheck's health will be a key factor in the team's success going forward.

The takeaway

Trocheck's scary medical ordeal highlights the risks and challenges professional athletes can face, even with access to top-tier medical care. His resilience in returning to play at a high level despite the serious lung infection is a testament to his toughness and commitment to the game.