Father of NHL Star Andrei Kuzmenko Killed in Bear Attack During Fishing Trip
Father of NHL Star Andrei Kuzmenko Killed in Bear Attack During Fishing Trip
Natasha DyeThu, September 24, 2026 at 5:26 PM UTC
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Andrei Kuzmenko and his father AlexanderCredit: kuzya_096/Instagram -
The father of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko died in a bear attack, the team announced on Thursday, Sept. 24
Alexander Kuzmenko was on a fishing trip when the bear attacked his group and bit him on the head
Andrei will be away from the team for a time while he visits his family in Moscow
Pittsburgh Penguins star Andrei Kuzmenko’s father died in a bear attack, the team announced.
The team’s general manager Kyle Dubas shared the shocking news in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 24.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins organization was deeply saddened, this morning, to learn of the passing of Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander,” Dubas said.
According to Russian outlet Sport 24, Alexander, 62, was on a fishing trip in Siberia with six others when the incident occurred. The group reportedly traveled to a bank in the forest via boat on the Bolshoy Yenisei River, where they set up camp.
Andrei Kuzmenko on Sept. 21, 2026Credit: Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire/Getty
The outlet said the group was attacked by a bear, and Alexander was bitten in the face. He was transported by the boat to a nearby village and then air-lifted to a hospital.
Alexander, who was a hockey coach, died from his injuries in the intensive care unit, according to the outlet.
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Dubas said in his statement on Thursday that Andrei, 30, “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.”
The Penguins general manager concluded his statement writing, “Andrei and the Kuzmenko family have the full support of the Penguins organization during this time.”
Andrei signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Penguins over the summer. In February, he underwent surgery on a torn meniscus, according to the NHL.
Last season, he played for the Los Angeles Kings and ended with 25 points on 13 goals and 12 assists.
on People
Source: “AOL General News”
