Rangers' Vincent Trocheck Reveals Scary Lung Infection Ordeal

The New York center missed 14 games early in the season after undergoing surgery to remove fluid from his lung.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:55pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a hockey player's body and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted blues, grays, and whites, with the player's face obscured, conveying the physical and emotional toll of a severe medical ordeal.A cubist interpretation of a hockey player's struggle with a serious medical condition, highlighting the fragility of an athlete's health.NYC Today

New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck opened up about a severe medical scare he faced early in the 2025-26 NHL season, revealing he suffered from a bacterial lung infection that required surgery and an extended hospital stay. Trocheck initially thought the issue was just back spasms, but it worsened during an October game, leading to the discovery of fluid around his lung that had to be surgically removed. Trocheck acknowledged how scary the situation felt, saying he 'thought I was dying' during his recovery process.

Why it matters

Trocheck's extended absence due to the lung infection was a significant setback for the Rangers, who struggled without their top-line center and ultimately finished last in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference. The team looked less cohesive during Trocheck's time off the ice, highlighting his importance to their on-ice performance.

The details

Trocheck said the lung issue was initially mistaken for back spasms, but it worsened during an Oct. 9 game against the Buffalo Sabres following a cross-check to the affected area. The condition required surgery to remove the fluid using chest tubes, and Trocheck spent around a week hospitalized. He ended up missing about 14 games early in the season before returning on Nov. 10.

  • On Oct. 9, Trocheck's lung issue worsened during a game against the Buffalo Sabres.
  • Trocheck underwent surgery to remove fluid from his lung and spent about a week hospitalized.
  • Trocheck missed around 14 games early in the 2025-26 season due to the lung infection.
  • Trocheck returned to the Rangers' lineup on Nov. 10.

The players

Vincent Trocheck

A center for the New York Rangers who suffered from a severe bacterial lung infection early in the 2025-26 NHL season, requiring surgery and an extended hospital stay.

New York Rangers

The NHL team that Trocheck plays for, which struggled in his absence and finished last in their division and conference.

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What they’re saying

“'Whatever fluid was in there, it's like bubbles, and I guess the bubble burst, and it spread, so 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 removed — chest tubes, whatever.'”

— Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers Center

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

— Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers Center

What’s next

Trocheck enters the offseason without any expectations for what's to come next, as he remains under contract with the Rangers for three more seasons.

The takeaway

Trocheck's scary lung infection ordeal highlights the fragility of professional athletes' health and the significant impact an extended absence can have on a team's performance. The Rangers struggled without their top-line center, underscoring his importance to the team's success.