Tragic News For Penguins Forward Andrei Kuzmenko
Tragic news. A bear attacked the father of Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko while fishing in Tuva. He passed away in the hospital.
— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) September 24, 2026
Deepest condolences to Andrei and his family. pic.twitter.com/z8JGnRqTpD
Alexander Kuzmenko, 62, was on a fishing trip with friends in Tuva when the attack took place. His friends fought off the bear but his injuries to his face and head were significant. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital but doctors were unable to save him.
The elder Kuzmenko was a well-respected hockey coach in Russia.
Andrei, 30, signed a $5 million one-year free-agent deal with the Penguins back on July 1st this summer. He was coming off a season with the Los Angeles Kings in which he scored 13 goals and had 25 points in 52 games.
He's already been a big hit in the locker room, per Josh Yohe.
Penguins officials just now have confirmed that Andrei Kuzmenko’s father, Alexander, was indeed killed via a bear attack in Siberia yesterday. Just a terrible story. Kuzmenko has been a big hit in the locker room. Very funny, well liked guy. Article coming momentarily on this.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) September 24, 2026
Kuzmenko is entering his fifth season in the NHL. He began his career in North America at the age of 26 with the Vancouver Canucks, registering a stunning 39 goals in his rookie year. He hasn't been able to replicate that success, but all of that is irrelevant at the moment, as he will try to navigate this devastating time.
There's no word yet on his status with the Penguins for the opening of the season next week.
NHLTR sends its deepest condolences to the Kuzmenko family.