Kuzmenko takes leave from Penguins after father dies on fishing trip
NHL.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Alexander Kuzmenko, father of NHL player Andrei Kuzmenko, was killed by a bear during a fishing trip in the Tuva Republic, southern Siberia, suffering fatal head injuries.
- Kuzmenko, a respected Russian hockey coach, was attacked while with six companions who managed to drive the bear away and get him medical help, but he died after being airlifted to a hospital.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins, Andrei Kuzmenko's current team, expressed condolences and requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
- Andrei Kuzmenko, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Penguins in July, chose to practice with his team before returning to Moscow to be with his family.
- Entering his fifth NHL season, Andrei has accumulated 182 points in 271 regular-season games across four teams and has playoff experience with six points in seven Stanley Cup games.
