NHLSep 26
Penguins' Andrei Kuzmenko takes leave following father's death in Russia
Kuzmenko practiced with Pittsburgh before departing to be with his family after his father, Alexander, was killed in a bear attack while fishing.
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Penguins offer support
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has taken a leave of absence after the death of his father, Alexander, in Russia. The team announced the leave Thursday. Kuzmenko, 30, joined his teammates for practice earlier that day before leaving for Moscow to spend time with his family. The Penguins said he had wanted to be around the team before making the trip and pledged the organization's support for him and his relatives. Coach Dan Muse expressed sympathy for Kuzmenko and his family, reinforcing that the organization would stand behind the forward as he dealt with the loss.
Fatal attack during fishing trip
Alexander, 62, was fishing in the Tuva Republic in southern Siberia on Tuesday when a bear emerged from nearby woods and attacked him. A respected hockey coach in Russia, he was accompanied by six other people. The group drove the bear away and sought medical help, but the dense forest complicated ambulance access. Hours passed before an ambulance reached them. Alexander was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Kyzyl, the regional capital, where efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Preparing for Pittsburgh season
Kuzmenko signed a one-year contract worth $5 million with Pittsburgh in July and is entering his fifth NHL season. His career includes stops with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings. Across 271 NHL games, Kuzmenko has recorded 85 goals and 182 points.
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