Andrei Kuzmenko is away from the Pittsburgh Penguins after a devastating family tragedy in Russia.
His father, Alexander Kuzmenko, died after a bear attack during a fishing trip in the Tuva Republic, according to REN TV. The report said a bear came out of the forest north of Mongolia and attacked Alexander, leaving him with lacerations to his face. He initially survived the encounter and received first aid from the people traveling with him.
The group had a satellite phone and managed to contact a hospital, but they were far from help. It took a four-hour boat ride down the Yenisei River to reach an ambulance waiting on the other side.
Alexander Kuzmenko, described as a longtime hockey coach, arrived at the hospital in serious condition and later died from his injuries.
The Penguins said Andrei Kuzmenko has taken a leave of absence and returned to Russia to be with his family. The 30-year-old had been preparing for his fifth NHL season after joining Pittsburgh in the offseason following stops with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, and Los Angeles Kings.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” said Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas 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.”
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