Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko is taking a leave of absence from the team after his father, Alexander, reportedly was killed by a bear in Siberia, the team announced Thursday.
Russian news outlet Ren.TV reported Alexander died at the age of 62 on Wednesday.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andri Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “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.”
Alexander reportedly had been on a fishing trip in Tuva Republic with six others when a bear attacked and bit the hockey coach in the head.
He suffered extensive tissue damage, per NHL.com, and the group separated the bear from him before he would be airlifted to a hospital in Kyzyl, where doctors could not save him.
Alexander trained several notable hockey players in Russia, per Ren.TV.
His son signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Penguins for the 2026-27 season, which will mark his fifth in the NHL.
Andrei started his career with the Canucks in 2022-23 before being traded in 2024 to the the Flames, who sent him one year later to the Flyers.
The Flyers traded him two months later to the Kings.
He tallied 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) for Los Angeles in 52 games last year, and has notched 85 goals and 97 points in his brief NHL career.
Pittsburgh opens the 2026-27 season on the road next Wednesday against the Flyers.
