PITTSBURGH, PA. (THECOUNT) — Alexander Kuzmenko, the 62-year-old father of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko, was killed in a bear attack while on a fishing trip in Russia, prompting the NHL player to take a leave of absence from the team to mourn with his family.
Andrei Kuzmenko, 30, practiced with the Penguins Thursday before departing for Russia. Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas confirmed that the organization was supporting the forward as he returned home following his father’s death.
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According to Russian media reports, Alexander Kuzmenko was fishing with six travel companions in the Tuva Republic, a region in southern Siberia, when a bear emerged from nearby woods and attacked him. The animal inflicted severe injuries to his head and face.
Kuzmenko’s companions reportedly managed to drive the bear away before providing first aid and transporting him toward a nearby settlement. He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Kyzyl, the capital of the Tuva Republic, but doctors were unable to save him.
Alexander Kuzmenko was a respected hockey coach in Russia and had helped develop his son’s hockey career. Russian reports identified him as a coach who worked with young players, including Andrei, during the early stages of his development.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” Dubas said in a statement Thursday. “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.”
Dubas said Kuzmenko chose to spend time with his teammates before leaving for Moscow to be with his family.
“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,” Dubas said. “Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization during this time.”
Kuzmenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Pittsburgh on July 1. He recorded 25 points, including 13 goals and 12 assists, in 52 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season before undergoing surgery in February to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.
Entering his fifth NHL season, Kuzmenko has recorded 182 points, consisting of 85 goals and 97 assists, in 271 regular-season games with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Kings. He has also registered six points, including three goals and three assists, in seven Stanley Cup Playoff appearances.
The Penguins have not announced a specific timetable for Kuzmenko’s return. The organization has asked that the family’s privacy be respected as they grieve Alexander’s death.
Alexander Kuzmenko’s death was reported following the bear attack in the Tuva Republic, a region in southern Siberia near the Russian-Mongolian border. The incident occurred in a remote area of the republic, although the precise location of the fishing trip had not been publicly identified.
Google Maps: Tuva Republic, Russia (approximate region of the reported bear attack)
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