Horror for Pittsburgh Penguins hockey star as his father is killed in bear attack on remote Russian fishing trip
A Pittsburgh Penguins forward has taken leave following the death of his father in a bear attack in their native Russia.
Andrei Kuzmenko, a 30-year-old native of Siberia, has not released a statement on his father’s death, but Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas said the veteran player chose to be with teammates earlier Wednesday morning before returning to Russia.
‘The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,’ Dubas said. ‘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 at this time.’
Dubas told Kuzmenko to take as much time as he needs with his family, according to Penguins director of minor league operations and WBS Assistant GM Amanda Kessel.
Ren.tv reported that Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander Kuzmenko, died during a fishing trip in the Siberian republic of Tuva, where the 62-year-old was attacked by a bear that had suddenly emerged from a nearby forest.
The network initially reported that friends had rescued Alexander from the bear and were able to call an ambulance, which rushed him to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, a follow-up article reported the elder Kuzmenko’s condition worsened and he ultimately died.
Andrei Kuzmenko (left) is seen during his days with the Canucks alongside his dad, Alexander
Kuzmenko has only seen preseason action with the Penguins and is now on leave
The Republic of Tuva (seen here with a shirtless Vladimir Putin in 2007) is known as a premiere fishing destination, but has recently struggled with bear attacks in the region
Alexander was a well-known coach at Moscow’s White Bears hockey school.
Sadly, Kuzmenko’s father is hardly the first person to be killed by a bear in Russia this year. At least 15 individuals have lost their lives in Siberia, Ren.tv reported, adding that forest fires and food shortages have exacerbated the situation.
A recent tally by The Moscow Times recorded at least sixt deaths in a month. The Times went on to report that Russia’s brown bear population has doubled since 1990 and is estimated to be around 307,000.
Authorities have addressed the problem by reportedly killing more than 530 aggressive bears in Russia.
Tuva, which sits along China’s northwest border, is renowned among fishermen for giant Siberian taimen and trout in the upper Yenisei River basin. In fact, Russian president Vladimir Putin took one of his many shirtless fishing photo shoots along the banks of the Yenisei in 2007.
A native of the Siberian city of Yakutsk, Kuzmenko has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings since coming over from Russia’s KHL. He had his best season with Vancouver in 2022-23, scoring 39 goals and adding 35 assists that season.
Kuzmenko signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Penguins on July 1.
