Andrei Kuzmenko leaves Penguins after father dies in bear attack

It’s a heartbreaking time for Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko. The 30-year-old hockey star has officially stepped away from the team following the tragic death of his father, Alexander, who was killed in a bear attack earlier this week.

The tragic accident

Alexander Kuzmenko, a well-respected hockey coach in Russia, was on a fishing trip in Tuva—a remote region in Siberia near the Mongolian border—this past Tuesday. According to reports from REN TV, the group encountered a bear, leading to the attack.

Getting help wasn't easy; the group was deep in a dense forest along the Krasnaya River. They had to travel down the river for four hours just to reach an ambulance. Alexander was airlifted to a hospital with severe facial injuries but was unfortunately pronounced dead on Wednesday. It’s lowkey devastating to learn that the area had apparently been restricted previously due to bear activity. Sadly, REN TV noted that at least 15 people have been killed in similar bear attacks across Russia this year.

Support for the Kuzmenko family

Andrei, who signed with the Penguins in July, showed some serious character—he actually chose to practice with his teammates Thursday morning before heading home. He’s now on his way to Moscow to be with his family.

Pittsburgh Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas released a statement Thursday expressing the organization's condolences. “Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the Kuzmenko family and their loved ones as they grieve the loss of Alexander,” Dubas said. He added that the team is giving Andrei their full support and has requested privacy for the family.

Andrei has had quite the journey in the league, debuting with the Vancouver Canucks in 2022 before stints with the Flames, Flyers, and Kings. With 85 goals and 97 assists in 271 appearances, he’s a massive talent, but right now, the hockey world is just sending him love during this absolute nightmare of a situation.

Why it matters

Beyond the hockey stats, this hits home because of the tight bond Andrei’s family has shown throughout his career. Back in 2023, his parents and sister famously wrote an open letter to Vancouver fans thanking them for helping Andrei grow professionally—a testament to how much they supported his dreams. Our thoughts are with the Kuzmenko family during this incredibly difficult time.