What Happened
Andrei Kuzmenko practised with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday after more than a week away following the death of his father, Alexander, in a bear attack in Siberia. Kuzmenko addressed the media at practice, saying his father was on a permit fishing trip with friends when the attack happened. He said his father fought the bear for roughly an hour and 10 minutes and lived for two more days. Kuzmenko also said he is changing his jersey number to 62 to honour his father and mother.
Key Details
- Kuzmenko was away from the Penguins for more than a week on compassionate leave.
- His father, Alexander, died from a bear attack in Siberia.
- Kuzmenko said his father was permit fishing with friends when attacked.
- He said his father fought the bear about an hour and 10 minutes and lived two more days.
- Kuzmenko is switching to jersey number 62 to honour his parents.
- He said 1962 is his mother's birth year and his father was 62 when he died.
- Kuzmenko, 30, signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh in the summer.
What It Means
Kuzmenko's return puts him back on the ice with Pittsburgh after an extended absence for personal reasons. His decision to wear No. 62 gives a personal meaning to the number as he continues his first season with the Penguins, the team he joined on a one-year deal in the summer.
What's Next
Kuzmenko is expected to continue practising with the Penguins as he works back toward game action. No timeline for his return to the lineup has been announced.