Andrei Kuzmenko’s father suffers fatal bear attack

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko will step away from the team after his father, Alexander Kuzmenko, died following a bear attack. The 62-year-old was attacked while on a fishing trip in southern Siberia, sustaining severe injuries to his head and face. According to Russian media outlet Sport24, he was airlifted to a hospital, where he later passed away.

Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas released a statement expressing deep sympathies and requesting privacy for the family. Dubas confirmed that Andrei Kuzmenko has returned to Moscow to be with his loved ones and noted that the player has the organization's full support.