A bear kills the father of Penguins player Andrei Kuzmenko while he was fishing in Russia
Penguins forward returns home to mourn father after tragic Siberian bear attack
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is returning to Russia following the tragic death of his father, Alexander , who was killed by a bear during a fishing trip in Siberia.
The Penguins confirmed Alexander Kuzmenko's death Thursday, with NHL.com reporting that the 62-year-old was attacked while visiting the Tuva Republic in southern Siberia. Russian media reports said a bear emerged from nearby woods and attacked him, causing severe injuries.
Alexander , a respected hockey coach in Russia, had been traveling with six companions when the incident occurred. The group reportedly managed to drive the bear away before moving Kuzmenko to a nearby settlement.
He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Kyzyl, the capital of the Tuva Republic, but doctors weren't able to save him.
The tragedy comes as Andrei Kuzmenko prepares for his first season with Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old forward practiced with his teammates Thursday morning before leaving for Moscow to be with his family.
Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas expressed the organization's condolences and asked that the Kuzmenko family's privacy be respected.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” Dubas said.
“Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko family and their loved ones as they grieve the loss of Alexander.
“We ask that the privacy of Andrei and the Kuzmenko family be respected at this time. Andrei chose to be surrounded by his teammates and practice with the team this morning before returning to Moscow to be with his family this afternoon.
“Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization during this time.”
Kuzmenko begins Pittsburgh chapter amid family tragedy
Kuzmenko joined the Penguins this summer after signing a one-year contract worth $5 million on July 1. The move followed his fourth NHL season, which he spent with the Los Angeles Kings.
In 52 games for Los Angeles last season, Kuzmenko recorded 13 goals and 25 points. He also underwent surgery in February to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.
The Russian forward originally entered the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2022-23 season after spending eight seasons in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.
His first NHL campaign proved highly productive, as he scored 39 goals and registered 74 points in 81 games.
Since arriving in North America, Kuzmenko has also played for the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Kings.
He enters the upcoming season with 182 points, including 85 goals and 97 assists, across 271 regular-season NHL games. He's also recorded six points in seven playoff appearances.
Hockey has understandably become secondary for Kuzmenko following the loss of his father, as his immediate priority is being with his family in Russia as they mourn Alexander .
