Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander, died after a bear attack during a fishing trip in Russia’s Tuva Republic.
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Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander Kuzmenko, has died after an apparent bear attack during a fishing trip in Russia, according to a report carried by REN TV.
The report says the attack occurred in the Tuva Republic, a region north of Mongolia. Alexander Kuzmenko suffered lacerations to his face when a bear emerged from the forest.
REN TV reports that Alexander Kuzmenko survived the initial assault and received first aid from his companions. The group had access to a satellite phone and was able to contact a hospital, but because of the remoteness of the location, reaching medical care required a four-hour trip by boat down the Yenisei River to an ambulance waiting at the end of the route.
He arrived at hospital in serious condition but later succumbed to his injuries.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, for whom Kuzmenko is preparing in the coming NHL season, said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the death. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said the organization’s “deepest thoughts and sympathies” were with the Kuzmenko family and asked for privacy as they grieve.
Dubas also said Andrei Kuzmenko chose to be with the Penguins organization in the immediate aftermath, attending practice with the team before returning to Moscow to be with his family. Dubas said the organization will provide support during the period of mourning.
Kuzmenko is preparing for what would be his fifth NHL season. In the offseason, he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins after previous stops with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.
The 30-year-old has taken a leave of absence to travel to Russia to be with his family, while the circumstances of the bear attack remain limited to the details already reported about the timing and the extensive transportation required to reach emergency care.
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