Father Of Penguins' Forward Andrei Kuzmenko Dies In Tragic Wildlife Attack

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- It was confirmed by the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday that Alexander Kuzmenko, father of Penguins' forward Andrei Kuzmenko, was killed Wednesday after tragically being attacked by a bear while on a fishing trip in southern Siberia. He was 62.

The news was first reported by REN TV in Russia.

According to REN TV, the elder Kuzmenko, along with six friends, was fishing on the Bolshoy Yenisei in the Todzhinsky district when the incident occurred. The bear unexpectedly emerged from the woods while the group was on the shoreline, attacking Alexander while the others managed to fight and ward off the bear and tend to Alexander.

Because they were in a remote region, they were forced to transport Alexander for four hours by boat until he could be located by an ambulance - called by one of the friends at the scene - and airlifted to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The area of the forest where the group was fishing had previously been restricted due to an increase in bear activity and attacks.

Alexander was a highly respected and renowned hockey coach in Russia.

"The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko's father, Alexander," Penguins' general manager and president of hockey operations 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."

Andrei, 30, was signed to a one-year deal by the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Penguins are fully behind Kuzmenko and respect whatever time he needs to take away from the team. He left for Russia after Thursday's morning practice.

"Kyle talked to him this morning and let him know what whatever he needs, we're here for him and his family," Penguins' director of minor league operations and WBS assistant general manager Amanda Kessel said. "However long it takes, we'll do what we can to support him. Obviously, very tragic, and the organization will be behind him and his family."

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