Penguins’ Andrei Kuzmenko Takes Leave Of Absence After Dad Killed By Bear

Andrei Kuzmenko, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, is taking a leave of absence from the franchise after the death of his dad, Alexander, the organization said Thursday.

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Earlier in the day, the 30-year-old Kuzmenko was with Pittsburgh for practice prior to leaving for Russia. (RELATED: Legendary Lakers Public-Address Announcer Lawrence Tanter Dead At 76)

According to Russian media outlet Ren.tv, per ESPN, Kuzmenko’s 62-year-old father was killed Thursday by a bear while on a fishing trip. Alexander was in the Tuva Republic, which is in southern Siberia, when he was bitten in the head by the animal that emerged from a wooded area nearby. He suffered extensive tissue damage.

Ren.tv went on to report that Alexander, an admired hockey coach in Russia, was with six other people who managed to scare away the bear before trying to get assistance for him. However, the forest’s density made it tough for ambulances to get to the group, and it took hours for one to arrive.

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Alexander was airlifted to a hospital in Kyzyl, the capital of Tuva Republic, but medical assistance wasn’t successful, and he was ultimately pronounced dead.

“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” said General Manager Kyle Dubas 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.”

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