Penguins Forward Andrei Kuzmenko Takes Leave of Absence Following Father’s Death in Russia Bear Attack
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has taken a leave of absence after his father was killed in a bear attack during a fishing trip in Russia.
Mobile Pensacola, AL, September 28, 2026 — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has begun an indefinite leave of absence from the team. The decision comes after a tragic incident in which his father was killed.
According to reports, Kuzmenko’s father died as a result of a bear attack. The incident reportedly occurred while he was on a fishing trip in Russia.
The Pittsburgh Penguins organization has not released specific details regarding the duration of Kuzmenko’s leave. The club is expected to provide further updates as appropriate.
Kuzmenko, who joined the Penguins during the 2023-2024 NHL season, is a forward. The team has stated its support for the player during this difficult time.
Further details regarding the circumstances of the bear attack and the specific location in Russia where the incident took place were not immediately available. The father’s name was also not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Zach Mentz on www.al.com, see more information here.
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